Elon Musk’s denunciation of President Trump’s sweeping tax-and-spending bill has ignited a Republican rift, with Speaker Mike Johnson defending the legislation as fiscally sound and aligned with the America First agenda.
At a Glance
- Elon Musk labeled Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” a “disgusting abomination” over its projected $3.8 trillion deficit increase
- House Speaker Mike Johnson countered, calling Musk “terribly wrong” and affirming the bill’s alignment with GOP priorities
- The bill narrowly passed the House and faces a contentious Senate vote amid GOP divisions
- The White House submitted a $9.4 billion rescissions package to Congress to offset spending
- Musk’s criticism has emboldened fiscal conservatives and complicated the bill’s legislative path
Musk’s Break with Trump
Elon Musk, former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has publicly severed ties with President Trump’s fiscal strategy by condemning the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a “disgusting abomination.” Musk cited the bill’s projected $3.8 trillion addition to the national deficit over the next decade, largely due to sweeping tax cuts and new spending initiatives.
Musk’s departure from his advisory post and his pointed criticisms have intensified calls for austerity within the Republican Party. Influential voices including Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee have echoed Musk’s concerns, pressing for deeper reductions in government expenditures. These fiscal hawks argue that the bill’s scale undermines long-term economic stability and betrays conservative principles.
Watch a report: Elon Musk calls President Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ bill a ‘disgusting abomination’.
Johnson’s Defense and Legislative Maneuvers
In response to Musk’s critique, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the bill in a press briefing, declaring Musk was “terribly wrong” and out of step with the needs of the American public. Johnson emphasized the legislation’s role in delivering key campaign promises—such as tax relief, energy independence, and border security—while preserving programmatic integrity and cutting fraud and waste.
To address fiscal concerns, the White House submitted a $9.4 billion rescissions package to Congress, targeting discretionary programs like foreign aid and public broadcasting. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said the cuts were designed to offset new expenditures and keep the administration’s broader fiscal reforms on track.
As the bill moves to the Senate, its fate hangs in the balance. The internal GOP divide, deepened by Musk’s outspoken opposition, reflects broader tensions between populist spending ambitions and traditional conservative economics. The final vote will likely shape the trajectory of fiscal policy well into the next presidential term.
