Elon musk slams Trump tax bill as a disastrous abomination

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sparked fresh controversy by denouncing Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation as a “disgusting abomination”. His comments, shared on his social platform X, have added fuel to an already heated debate over the bill, which has polarised opinion among Republicans as it moves through Congress.

Musk took to social media, lambasting what he described as a “pork-filled Congressional spending bill” that he claimed would bloat the US budget deficit to $2.5 trillion. “This massive, outrageous bill is a disgrace,” Musk wrote. “Congress is gambling with the nation’s financial health. It will lead to unsustainable debt and push America closer to bankruptcy.”

Known for heading Trump’s short-lived department of government efficiency (DOGE), Musk suggested the bill undermines efforts to minimise government waste. Fiscal conservatives like Senators Ron Johnson and Rand Paul have echoed similar concerns, creating a schism among Republican lawmakers. Johnson stated: “We have enough holdouts to halt this process until we see serious deficit reduction measures.”

The legislation, branded by Trump as “one big, beautiful bill”, proposes to extend the tax cuts introduced in 2017 while incorporating increased spending on border security and the military. The Congressional Budget Office and various analysts project that the bill could add between $2.3 trillion and $5 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. Proponents argue that economic growth resulting from robust tax reductions will mitigate the financial impact, but scepticism remains.

Critics, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have lambasted the bill for what they term as harsh cuts to social programmes. Proposals include a sharp scaling back of programmes such as Medicaid, food assistance, and renewable energy tax credits. A joint study by Yale and the University of Pennsylvania flagged serious implications, linking the legislation to over 51,000 preventable deaths and millions potentially losing healthcare coverage.

Musk’s position has drawn both support and criticism. Republican Representative Thomas Massie echoed Musk’s concerns, whereas House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the legislation, insisting it fulfilled campaign promises. Johnson failed to sway Musk during a 20-minute phone call earlier this week, admitting his regret over the billionaire’s public rejection. President Trump, meanwhile, dismissed dissenters as “grandstanders,” maintaining public confidence in his economic strategy.

The ongoing Senate deliberations are expected to continue amidst growing tensions, with attempts to finalise revisions before 4 July. Musk’s criticism has revealed cracks between establishment Republicans and fiscal conservatives, highlighting the fraught dynamics within Trump’s party over economic priorities.