ReutersElon Musk has mounted a fierce and very public campaign to stop US President Donald Trump’s $4 trillion spending and tax bill. He took to X on Wednesday to call on Americans to contact their lawmakers, writing: “Call your Senator, Call your Congressman, Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL.”
This marks a dramatic escalation from the tech billionaire, who until last week led the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His departure has clearly freed him to speak more openly — and aggressively.
"This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong," Musk posted on X.
He also reposted memes and comments echoing fears over the growing deficit, and even shared a poster of Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” movie to drive his point home.
In another post, he added: “This spending bill contains the largest increase in the debt ceiling in US history! It is the Debt Slavery Bill.”
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has previously expressed dismay at the bill’s financial impact, saying it could “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion.” He concluded bluntly: “Congress is making America bankrupt.”
Despite that, Trump did share a screenshot on Truth Social of Musk thanking him during his time at DOGE — a quiet attempt perhaps to remind Musk of past support.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the bill, claiming Musk was “flat wrong” on the numbers and revealed he tried calling Musk the night before — without success. Musk responded by sharing a video clip of Johnson’s remarks and countered: “We need a new bill that doesn’t grow the deficit.”
Musk’s political muscle could reshape the debate. As the largest Republican donor in the 2024 election cycle, his threat to unseat lawmakers backing the bill has rattled GOP leaders. “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” he warned.
The bill, which includes sweeping tax cuts and increased defence spending, has already passed the House. Just three Republicans broke ranks. It’s now under debate in the Senate, where it faces opposition from some Republican fiscal conservatives.
Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota was dismissive. “I don’t think very many senators are that interested in what Elon has to say,” he told reporters. “It’s amusing. But we’re serious policymakers. We have to govern, and so we have to deal with reality.”
The stakes are growing. Trump has set a Fourth of July deadline to pass the bill. The legislation includes a hike to the borrowing cap, which Treasury officials say must pass before August to avoid the first-ever US debt default.
Musk’s disapproval also seems partly personal. Provisions in the bill could harm Tesla by cutting electric vehicle subsidies and may affect SpaceX’s federal contracts.
But for now, he’s keeping the focus squarely on what he sees as irresponsible governance. “No one who actually reads the bill should be able to stomach it,” he said.
This marks a dramatic escalation from the tech billionaire, who until last week led the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His departure has clearly freed him to speak more openly — and aggressively.
From adviser to adversary
Musk had worked 130 days as a “special government employee” tasked with cutting wasteful federal spending. Now, just days out of the administration, he’s describing Trump’s bill as “a disgusting abomination.”"This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong," Musk posted on X.
He also reposted memes and comments echoing fears over the growing deficit, and even shared a poster of Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” movie to drive his point home.
Musk: Bill will ‘massively increase deficit’
Earlier this week, Musk warned: “America is in the fast lane to debt slavery.” He criticised the proposed hike in the debt ceiling, saying: “A new spending bill should be drafted that doesn’t massively grow the deficit and increase the debt ceiling by 5 TRILLION DOLLARS.”In another post, he added: “This spending bill contains the largest increase in the debt ceiling in US history! It is the Debt Slavery Bill.”
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has previously expressed dismay at the bill’s financial impact, saying it could “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion.” He concluded bluntly: “Congress is making America bankrupt.”
Fallout from fiscal rebellion
The White House has responded coolly. “This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, confirming Trump is unmoved by Musk’s online barrage.Despite that, Trump did share a screenshot on Truth Social of Musk thanking him during his time at DOGE — a quiet attempt perhaps to remind Musk of past support.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the bill, claiming Musk was “flat wrong” on the numbers and revealed he tried calling Musk the night before — without success. Musk responded by sharing a video clip of Johnson’s remarks and countered: “We need a new bill that doesn’t grow the deficit.”
Musk’s political muscle could reshape the debate. As the largest Republican donor in the 2024 election cycle, his threat to unseat lawmakers backing the bill has rattled GOP leaders. “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” he warned.
The bill, which includes sweeping tax cuts and increased defence spending, has already passed the House. Just three Republicans broke ranks. It’s now under debate in the Senate, where it faces opposition from some Republican fiscal conservatives.
Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota was dismissive. “I don’t think very many senators are that interested in what Elon has to say,” he told reporters. “It’s amusing. But we’re serious policymakers. We have to govern, and so we have to deal with reality.”
Deficit figures stir alarm
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its own projection this week. It estimated the bill could add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. Independent analysts have warned the figure could climb to $4 trillion, if deficit triggers and assumptions are unmet.The stakes are growing. Trump has set a Fourth of July deadline to pass the bill. The legislation includes a hike to the borrowing cap, which Treasury officials say must pass before August to avoid the first-ever US debt default.
Musk’s disapproval also seems partly personal. Provisions in the bill could harm Tesla by cutting electric vehicle subsidies and may affect SpaceX’s federal contracts.
But for now, he’s keeping the focus squarely on what he sees as irresponsible governance. “No one who actually reads the bill should be able to stomach it,” he said.
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