Elon Musk Voices Discontent Over Trump's Tax and Spending Legislation

Elon Musk has expressed disappointment in President Trump's recently passed tax and spending legislation, arguing it runs counter to prior efforts to cut government spending. Musk's comments reflect an emerging rift within Trump's party over fiscal policy and suggest a shift in Musk's political engagement.

Elon Musk has publicly criticized one of the major initiatives of his close associate, US President Donald Trump, stating his disappointment in the recently passed tax and spending legislation. Last week, the House of Representatives voted narrowly in favor of what Trump refers to as his "big, beautiful bill," which promises multitrillion-dollar tax cuts and significant increases in defense spending. The bill is now headed to the Senate for further deliberation.

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Musk revealed his dissatisfaction with the plan, which he believes undermines the fiscal discipline he previously advocated for while serving as Trump's cost-cutting advisor. Musk had been involved in efforts to reduce government spending, including cuts to foreign aid, before deciding to step back from that role. He has also indicated a reduction in his own political expenditures.

“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly,” Musk stated during the CBS interview. He voiced his concern that the proposed legislation could potentially raise the budget deficit rather than reduce it, estimating an increase of around $600 billion in the next fiscal year. Musk's remarks also hinted at dissatisfaction with the bill's alignment with the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which focuses on curtailing wasteful spending.

The passage of Trump’s tax and spend bill highlights ongoing divisions within the Republican Party, raising questions about its fiscal direction. Long a central priority for Trump, the legislation seeks to extend tax cuts introduced during his previous term in 2017, while also allocating funds for defense and immigration enforcement measures.

Musk's comments signal a possible estrangement from Trump, particularly as he has recently committed to stepping away from Doge and pledged to engage in significantly less political funding in the future. Furthermore, he intends to lead Tesla for an additional five years despite facing backlash over his previous political maneuvers, which included drastic cuts to federal positions and foreign aid.

In defending his actions, Musk maintained that his decisions in the past were necessary, as Trump and his supporters defended similar budget cuts as crucial steps to eliminate perceived waste within the federal spending framework.