Tesla’s CEO turns on Trump’s prized megabill, calling it pork-filled and
fiscally reckless. The fallout is already rippling through GOP ranks.
In what can only be described as a high-octane political about-face,
Elon Musk has torched President Donald Trump’s prized legislative
package—publicly branding the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” a
“disgusting abomination.”
I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore.
This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.
Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk wrote on X (his
own platform, naturally). “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional
spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you
know you did wrong. You know it.”
The tirade, posted just days after Musk
stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),
sent a shockwave through both political and financial circles. It also marks
Musk’s most dramatic rupture yet with Trump—his erstwhile political ally, golf
buddy, and, until very recently, Oval Office patron.
Debt, Deficits, and Tesla’s Dollars
Why the sudden fury? Follow the money.
Elon Musk, doing a lot of “slamming” recently. (via Frederic J Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Musk slammed the bill for bloating the federal deficit—forecasted to
hit $2.5 trillion—and for adding what he called “crushingly
unsustainable debt.” The bill also threatens Tesla’s interests directly: it
proposes slashing subsidies for electric vehicles and clean energy tech.
That’s no small change when you’re running the world’s biggest EV maker
and a space company (SpaceX) reliant on defense contracts. And Musk knows it.
In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people https://t.co/GTRc9Rjled
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025
“In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the
American people,” Musk warned in another post—threatening Republican lawmakers
who dare back the bill.
Political Fallout: GOP Leaders Squirm
Republican leadership, already walking a tightrope to pass the bill in
the Senate, now faces a Musk-shaped headache.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) insisted the bill would
ultimately spur economic growth, but admitted Musk’s criticism “makes
leadership’s job that much harder.”
Meanwhile, libertarian stalwarts like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen.
Mike Lee (R-Utah) gleefully echoed Musk’s outrage. Paul posted: “We can and
must do better.” Lee added that “federal spending has become excessive.”
Even some House Republicans who helped push the bill through were
blindsided. “Very
disappointing,” grumbled House Speaker Mike Johnson. “And very surprising
in light of the conversation I had with him.”
Translation: Musk was supposed to play nice. Now he’s lighting matches.
Markets Watching, Tesla at Risk
For traders and investors, Musk’s tantrum could have tangible
consequences.
Tesla shares wobbled slightly as news of the clash broke—investors wary
of how the spending cuts could hit EV incentives. And with SpaceX holding major
defense contracts, any deterioration in Musk’s rapport with Trump could also
ripple through that side of his empire.
GOP insiders privately acknowledge that Musk’s influence—while not
equal to Trump’s—is nontrivial. He pumped at least $250-300 million into
Trump’s last campaign and various down-ballot races. Now, that financial spigot
may be in question.
Republican strategist Alex Conant summed it up: “It’s
not helpful. But in the end, Musk still plays second fiddle to Trump.”
True. But second fiddle or not, Musk’s solo this week is impossible to
ignore.
An Unholy Mess
Let’s recap: Trump calls this bill “arguably
the most significant piece of Legislation that will ever be signed.” Musk
calls it a “disgusting abomination.”
🇺🇸The One, Big, Beautiful Bill “is arguably the most significant piece of Legislation that will ever be signed in the History of our Country!” Great job by Speaker Mike Johnson, and the House Leadership, and thank you to every Republican who voted YES on this Historic Bill!” pic.twitter.com/4e22PHtlxl
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 22, 2025
Wall Street and Silicon Valley are left trying to read the tea leaves.
Will Tesla subsidies survive? Will Musk really pull GOP funding? Will Senate
Republicans break ranks?
One thing’s clear: when the world’s richest man and the world’s loudest
president go to war over money, markets should pay attention.
Strap in. The abomination circus has just begun.
For more news around the edges of finance, visit our Trending pages.
Tesla’s CEO turns on Trump’s prized megabill, calling it pork-filled and
fiscally reckless. The fallout is already rippling through GOP ranks.
In what can only be described as a high-octane political about-face,
Elon Musk has torched President Donald Trump’s prized legislative
package—publicly branding the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” a
“disgusting abomination.”
I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore.
This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.
Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk wrote on X (his
own platform, naturally). “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional
spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you
know you did wrong. You know it.”
The tirade, posted just days after Musk
stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),
sent a shockwave through both political and financial circles. It also marks
Musk’s most dramatic rupture yet with Trump—his erstwhile political ally, golf
buddy, and, until very recently, Oval Office patron.
Debt, Deficits, and Tesla’s Dollars
Why the sudden fury? Follow the money.
Elon Musk, doing a lot of “slamming” recently. (via Frederic J Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Musk slammed the bill for bloating the federal deficit—forecasted to
hit $2.5 trillion—and for adding what he called “crushingly
unsustainable debt.” The bill also threatens Tesla’s interests directly: it
proposes slashing subsidies for electric vehicles and clean energy tech.
That’s no small change when you’re running the world’s biggest EV maker
and a space company (SpaceX) reliant on defense contracts. And Musk knows it.
In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people https://t.co/GTRc9Rjled
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025
“In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the
American people,” Musk warned in another post—threatening Republican lawmakers
who dare back the bill.
Political Fallout: GOP Leaders Squirm
Republican leadership, already walking a tightrope to pass the bill in
the Senate, now faces a Musk-shaped headache.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) insisted the bill would
ultimately spur economic growth, but admitted Musk’s criticism “makes
leadership’s job that much harder.”
Meanwhile, libertarian stalwarts like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen.
Mike Lee (R-Utah) gleefully echoed Musk’s outrage. Paul posted: “We can and
must do better.” Lee added that “federal spending has become excessive.”
Even some House Republicans who helped push the bill through were
blindsided. “Very
disappointing,” grumbled House Speaker Mike Johnson. “And very surprising
in light of the conversation I had with him.”
Translation: Musk was supposed to play nice. Now he’s lighting matches.
Markets Watching, Tesla at Risk
For traders and investors, Musk’s tantrum could have tangible
consequences.
Tesla shares wobbled slightly as news of the clash broke—investors wary
of how the spending cuts could hit EV incentives. And with SpaceX holding major
defense contracts, any deterioration in Musk’s rapport with Trump could also
ripple through that side of his empire.
GOP insiders privately acknowledge that Musk’s influence—while not
equal to Trump’s—is nontrivial. He pumped at least $250-300 million into
Trump’s last campaign and various down-ballot races. Now, that financial spigot
may be in question.
Republican strategist Alex Conant summed it up: “It’s
not helpful. But in the end, Musk still plays second fiddle to Trump.”
True. But second fiddle or not, Musk’s solo this week is impossible to
ignore.
An Unholy Mess
Let’s recap: Trump calls this bill “arguably
the most significant piece of Legislation that will ever be signed.” Musk
calls it a “disgusting abomination.”
🇺🇸The One, Big, Beautiful Bill “is arguably the most significant piece of Legislation that will ever be signed in the History of our Country!” Great job by Speaker Mike Johnson, and the House Leadership, and thank you to every Republican who voted YES on this Historic Bill!” pic.twitter.com/4e22PHtlxl
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 22, 2025
Wall Street and Silicon Valley are left trying to read the tea leaves.
Will Tesla subsidies survive? Will Musk really pull GOP funding? Will Senate
Republicans break ranks?
One thing’s clear: when the world’s richest man and the world’s loudest
president go to war over money, markets should pay attention.
Strap in. The abomination circus has just begun.
For more news around the edges of finance, visit our Trending pages.
