Spending Bill Sparks Division: The “One Big Beautiful Bill” faces backlash as Elon Musk warns it could derail efforts to cut federal waste and deepen the deficit.
May 28, 2025
In a notable break from his role as a staunch ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has publicly criticized the administration’s latest spending proposal, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Musk’s remarks—previewed in a CBS interview airing June 1—mark his first major public rift with Trump and raise fresh questions about his future as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Speaking bluntly, Musk expressed deep frustration over the bill, arguing it undermines efforts to curb federal waste. “I’m disappointed to see a massive spending bill that increases the budget deficit, not reduces it,” Musk said in the interview preview. “It undercuts the work our DOGE team is doing.” His comments spotlight growing friction between Trump’s fiscal agenda and DOGE’s cost-cutting mission—a key pillar of the administration’s early platform.
READ: Trump crackdown on International Students! Freezes visa interviews worldwide
The Bill’s Burden
At the heart of Musk’s criticism is the proposal to extend the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts, set to expire at the end of 2025. A May 22 analysis from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School estimates the extension would add $2.8 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. With national debt now exceeding $36 trillion, alarm bells are ringing across Wall Street and Capitol Hill.
Markets reacted swiftly. On May 27, long-term U.S. bond yields surged to levels not seen since 2007. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes hit 4.9%, signaling investor anxiety over unsustainable government borrowing. Analysts warn that extended tax cuts, combined with increased spending, could drive inflation higher and force the Federal Reserve to maintain elevated interest rates.
Musk, never one to mince words, summed up his skepticism with a jab: “A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful—but I don’t think it can be both.”
DOGE Under Strain
Musk’s critique comes at a critical juncture for DOGE, the department he co-leads with biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Created by Trump to overhaul federal operations and cut inefficiencies, DOGE claims to have saved $175 billion through streamlined procurement, leaner bureaucracy, and eliminating redundancy.
Elon Musk criticized Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” as undoing the work DOGE has attempted to do.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
“I… pic.twitter.com/oAiplHm5og
— AF Post (@AFpost) May 28, 2025
But the department faces mounting scrutiny. Critics accuse DOGE of operating with limited transparency and circumventing congressional oversight. A recent Government Accountability Office report flagged “significant gaps” in DOGE’s reporting, fueling bipartisan calls for greater accountability.
Now, Musk’s criticism of the spending bill risks further complicating DOGE’s mandate. Insiders suggest the rift reflects deeper tensions within the administration, as Trump’s populist policies increasingly conflict with DOGE’s fiscal restraint.
Tesla Troubles, Divided Focus
Musk’s public dissent also comes amid headwinds for his business ventures. Tesla, the electric vehicle pioneer he leads as CEO, reported an 18% year-over-year drop in deliveries in April—its lowest in three years—amid softening demand and competition from Chinese automakers. The company’s stock has fallen 12% year-to-date.
Amid these challenges, Musk has scaled back his involvement in DOGE, delegating much of the day-to-day to Ramaswamy and other deputies. Sources close to Musk say the spending bill represents a broader setback to his vision of disciplined governance—a philosophy he has promoted both as a public figure and through his platform X (formerly Twitter).
Political Fallout
Musk’s break with Trump could reshape dynamics within the Republican Party. As a major donor and influential figure, his criticism may embolden fiscal conservatives wary of Trump’s expanding budget. Political analysts suggest the dispute could prompt other GOP figures to voice their concerns ahead of the 2026 midterms, potentially fracturing party unity.
READ: US Ends Routine Child, Pregnant Woman COVID Shots Amidst Safety Concerns
On the economic front, the controversy has renewed focus on the country’s deteriorating fiscal position. The Congressional Budget Office projects a $2.2 trillion deficit for 2025, driven by rising entitlement costs, growing interest payments, and potentially, the tax cut extensions. Musk’s dissent may sharpen calls for reform—but it’s unclear how much sway he still holds within the administration.
With his CBS interview set to air soon, attention turns to Musk’s next move: Will he double down on his criticism or seek to reconcile with Trump? The president has yet to respond publicly, though insiders describe the fallout as a minor disagreement rather than a rupture. Still, Musk’s challenge signals a shift—from loyal partner to candid critic.
For now, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” remains at the center of debate in Washington. And with Musk’s intervention, the battle over the nation’s fiscal future just got more complicated.
