Elon Musk, the tech mogul who poured millions into Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, isn’t holding back his frustration with the president’s latest legislative push—a massive tax and spending package dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” In a candid CBS interview, Musk called the bill a letdown, saying it balloons the deficit and undercuts his work to slash government spending. As the House narrowly passed the $3.8 trillion plan last week, and with the Senate now weighing its fate, Musk’s public jab at his former ally has folks wondering if their bromance is on the rocks. Here’s the lowdown on what’s driving Musk’s disappointment and what it means for Trump’s agenda.
Musk, who stepped back from leading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in April to focus on Tesla and SpaceX, told CBS Sunday Morning, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.” With a quip that’s pure Musk, he added, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both.” The bill, officially the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, pumps billions into defense and border security, and slaps work requirements on Medicaid while cutting clean energy credits. But it’s the price tag—adding $3.8 trillion to the deficit over a decade, per the Congressional Budget Office—that’s got Musk fuming.
For Musk, it’s personal. As DOGE’s cost-cutting czar, he aimed to carve out $2 trillion in savings by axing federal jobs and programs, claiming $175 billion in wins despite murky math. His efforts, like slashing foreign aid and laying off thousands, sparked backlash—Tesla faced boycotts, and its stock tanked 71% in Q1 2025. Now, Trump’s bill, which hikes the debt ceiling by $4 trillion, feels like a betrayal of Musk’s mission. “All government spending is taxation,” Musk said recently, arguing it fuels inflation that hits everyday folks hardest. Sarah Nguyen, a Tesla owner from Fremont, California, gets it: “Elon’s trying to keep things lean, but Trump’s throwing money around like it’s confetti.”
Trump’s not backing down. He’s called the bill a “Golden Age” cornerstone, promising tax breaks, no taxes on tips, and a border crackdown. It squeaked through the House 215-214, with two Republicans, Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson, voting no, echoing Musk’s deficit worries. The Senate’s next, but GOP hardliners like Rand Paul are balking, calling the cuts “wimpy” and the debt hike a dealbreaker. Trump’s team insists it’s about “putting America first,” brushing off Musk’s gripes.
This isn’t Musk’s first clash with Trump’s circle. He’s feuded with trade adviser Peter Navarro, calling him “dumber than a sack of bricks” over tariffs Musk fought since 2020. His pullback from DOGE came after Tesla’s woes and a failed $20 million Wisconsin Supreme Court bet. With $290 million sunk into Trump’s campaign, Musk’s influence is undeniable, but his sway’s slipping as Trump barrels forward. “I did what needed to be done,” Musk said last week, defending his DOGE cuts despite the heat.
For regular folks, it’s a mixed bag. The bill’s tax cuts sound nice, but Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating over borrowing fears. John Carter, a mechanic from Ohio, worries, “Lower taxes are great, but if it means more debt, my kids are paying for it.” Musk’s critique might nudge the Senate to trim the bill, but with Trump’s base cheering, don’t hold your breath. As Musk refocuses on Tesla, vowing less political spending, this spat could mark a turning point. Check the Congressional Budget Office or Senate updates for the latest. Meanwhile, Musk’s made his point: even a beautiful bill can leave a bitter taste if the numbers don’t add up.
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