Elon Musk lashes out at Trump’s spending bill, urging millions to pressure Congress to kill it
Elon Musk has launched a fierce, unrelenting attack on President Donald Trump’s signature spending bill, sparking a fresh political firestorm just days after leaving the Trump administration. On Wednesday, the billionaire tech mogul took to X — formerly Twitter — posting over 25 messages blasting the legislation as a financial disaster threatening to “bankrupt America.”
Musk’s searing criticism branded the bill a “disgusting abomination” and called on his 200 million followers to take urgent action. “Call your Senator, call your Congressman, bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL,” Musk demanded in one post, signalling an unprecedented mobilisation of social media muscle against a sitting president’s agenda.
His posts drew sharp reactions from political leaders. House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed Musk’s warnings, calling him “flat wrong” about the bill’s impact on the deficit. Johnson emphasised that the legislation would generate economic growth, create jobs, and increase government revenue — rebutting Musk’s bleak predictions. “We don’t have time for a brand-new bill,” Johnson said, urging supporters to recognise the bill’s “record tax cuts” and “extraordinary” savings.
Musk fired back with pointed responses on X. To Johnson’s defence of the bill, Musk retorted: “We need a new bill that doesn’t grow the deficit.” He added, “No one who actually reads the bill should be able to stomach it,” underscoring his deep disdain for the legislation’s provisions.
Senate Republicans appeared less fazed by Musk’s social media barrage. Senate Majority Leader John Thune downplayed the billionaire’s influence, saying senators understand the “CBO scoring model game” and want a bill that stimulates growth and better-paying jobs.
Beyond the headline fight over spending, Musk’s grievances run deeper. Sources close to the tech billionaire reveal a widening rift with the Trump administration over several issues, including a controversial cut to the electric vehicle tax credit embedded in the bill. Musk, whose company Tesla has shifted from supporting to opposing the removal of this credit, sees the change as a threat to America’s energy independence and grid reliability. Tesla posted on social media warning that ending the credit “would threaten America’s energy independence.”
Tensions also flare over artificial intelligence policy. Musk has privately expressed frustration that Trump’s administration struck AI deals with competitor OpenAI without involving his own AI start-up. Despite his objections, the administration moved forward without Musk’s inclusion.
Adding to the strain, the recent withdrawal of Jared Isaacman’s nomination as NASA administrator has deeply disappointed Musk, as Isaacman is considered an ally of the billionaire.
Musk’s criticism extends to trade policy as well. In April, he publicly slammed Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro with harsh insults on X, calling him a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” This public break highlights a significant deterioration in Musk’s relationship with key figures in the administration.
The feud erupted less than a week after Musk attended a White House press conference with Trump on May 30. Despite that high-profile appearance, Musk has since positioned himself as a vocal critic of the administration’s fiscal priorities.
The spending bill itself aims to advance Trump’s legislative agenda but faces opposition over its potential to balloon the already enormous federal deficit. Musk’s social media campaign has turned this policy debate into a viral spectacle, with the billionaire using his vast online following to pressure lawmakers into reconsidering the bill.
As this public spat unfolds, the stakes remain high. Musk’s call to “KILL the BILL” has energised critics of the legislation while provoking fierce defence from its backers in Congress. The clash exposes deep divides within the Republican Party and highlights the increasingly influential role tech moguls now play in shaping political discourse.
