Elon Musk Renews Attacks on Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ as Senate Narrowly Advances Controversial Tax and Spending Package
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has again voiced strong opposition to Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, just hours before Senate Republicans narrowly advanced it in a dramatic late-night vote.
The Senate voted 51-49 on Saturday to move forward with the package — a mix of tax breaks, spending cuts, and expanded deportation funding — ahead of the July Fourth deadline. The razor-thin vote followed hours of tense negotiations, with Vice President JD Vance on standby to break a potential tie.
As senators huddled in backrooms and the vote dragged on for over three hours, two Republicans ultimately sided with Democrats to oppose the motion, highlighting internal division in the party.
Musk Calls the Bill ‘Political Suicide’
Musk, who left his government advisory role last month, took to social media shortly before the vote to slam the nearly 1,000-page bill, warning it would cause massive job losses and strategic harm to the U.S.
“It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future,” Musk wrote.
He later added: “This bill is political suicide for the Republican Party.”
This renewed criticism reopens a recent public feud between Musk and the Trump administration — one that had appeared to cool after weeks of back-and-forth attacks.
Tensions Boil Over Between Former Allies
The breakdown in the once-close relationship between Musk and Trump has become increasingly visible. Musk previously described the bill as a “pork-filled abomination” and chastised Republicans who supported it:
“Shame on those who voted for it. You know you did wrong,” he posted on X earlier this month.
He also threatened to withdraw political donations and target lawmakers he believed had “betrayed the American people.”
Trump, for his part, dismissed Musk’s outbursts but later expressed disappointment in the billionaire. Their spat escalated when Musk, without providing evidence, hinted at Trump’s potential links to Jeffrey Epstein — a claim that briefly sent shockwaves through political circles.
Though Musk later said he regretted posts that “went too far,” the damage to their once-strategic alliance had been done.
Trump attempted to defuse the situation in an interview, saying: “Things like that happen. I don’t blame him.”
Republicans Under Pressure as Division Grows
While the bill passed its procedural hurdle, internal resistance continues. Some Republicans object to cuts to programs like Medicaid and food stamps, meant to offset the cost of extending $3.8 trillion in Trump-era tax cuts.
The situation is further complicated by Musk’s public rebuke and his influence within the party. Despite stepping back from politics since leaving the administration, Musk donated heavily to Trump’s 2024 campaign and remains a powerful voice in conservative tech and business circles.
Still, his political leverage has waned — and Trump appears more focused on uniting the party ahead of the general election.
During Saturday night’s prolonged vote, Trump lashed out at Senator Thom Tillis, accusing him of seeking attention with his “no” vote and threatening to campaign against him in future elections.
What Comes Next?
As the bill inches forward in Congress, all eyes are on how the fractured GOP leadership will handle growing internal dissent — and whether the fragile truce between Trump and Musk can hold.
The White House has not yet commented on Musk’s latest criticisms.
