Trump's latest move has left Musk "disappointed". Credit: Jeff Bottari / Getty
Elon Musk publicly criticized one of Trump’s key policy wins, despite once supporting his re-election.
In a CBS interview, Musk slammed Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” calling it a setback for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
From insider to critic, Musk led the DOGE initiative starting in January to slash $1 trillion in federal spending.
He targeted foreign aid and trimmed the government workforce, sparking protests and Tesla boycotts.
Still, Musk stood firm: “I did what needed to be done.”
According to The Guardian, Musk’s PAC gave $200 million to Trump’s campaign before the November election.
Trump and Musk were often spotted together early in Trump’s second term. Trump even bought a new Tesla on the White House lawn.
But in April, Musk stepped back from politics after Tesla’s earnings slumped.
He now says he’ll scale back political spending and focus on leading Tesla for at least five more years.
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” includes extended 2017 tax cuts, boosted defense spending, stricter Medicaid rules, and eliminated clean energy incentives.
It also raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion and expands powers for mass deportations.
Musk isn’t impressed.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill… it increases the deficit and undermines the DOGE team’s work,” he told CBS.
“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful. But not both.”
The CBO estimates it could add up to $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit by 2034.
Rising Tensions with the White House
Musk’s criticism highlights growing fractures within the GOP over Trump’s tax-and-spend approach.
Despite donating over $250 million to Trump’s re-election, Musk now publicly clashes with the administration.
DOGE claims it saved $175 billion through contract cancellations and spending cuts. But a BBC review says there’s little evidence to support that.
Musk says the new bill “directly undermines that work.”
“The deficit’s going the wrong way,” he repeated in a CBS interview.
The bill passed the House but awaits a Senate vote. Musk’s break underscores rising dissent—even from Trump’s top donors.
