Elon Musk ‘Disappointed’ by Trump’s Tax Bill, Says It Undermines DOGE’s Mission
In a rare moment of public disagreement with former President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk has voiced strong criticism of the recently passed House tax bill, calling it a “massive disappointment” and warning that it undermines the very principles of government efficiency he has championed through his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The bill, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” was passed narrowly in the House last week and is now headed to the Senate. It includes provisions to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, increase defense and border security spending, and impose new work requirements on Medicaid recipients. However, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add a staggering $3.8 trillion to the national deficit by 2034.
Musk, who was appointed by Trump to lead DOGE—a department created to streamline federal operations and reduce government waste—expressed his frustration in an interview with 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,” Musk said.
Known for his sharp wit, Musk added, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both.”
Musk’s comments mark a notable shift in tone. While he has often aligned with Trump on deregulation and innovation, this latest legislation appears to have crossed a line. The DOGE initiative, under Musk’s leadership, had aggressively pursued cost-cutting measures across federal agencies, aiming to modernize systems and eliminate redundancy. Critics called it overly aggressive, but supporters praised its ambition.
Now, Musk fears that the new tax bill could undo much of that progress. “We’ve spent years trying to make government leaner and smarter,” he said. “This bill does the opposite—it bloats the budget and sends the wrong message about fiscal responsibility.”
The tension between Musk and Trump is particularly striking given their previously close working relationship. Musk was a frequent visitor to the White House during Trump’s first term and played a key role in shaping tech and infrastructure policy. However, with Musk stepping back from his official government role earlier this year, he appears more willing to speak candidly.
Political analysts suggest Musk’s criticism could influence public opinion, especially among fiscally conservative voters who admire his business acumen. “When someone like Elon Musk says a bill is fiscally irresponsible, people listen,” said political strategist Karen Fields.
As the bill moves to the Senate, it’s unclear whether Musk’s comments will sway lawmakers. But one thing is certain: the alliance between two of the most polarizing figures in American politics just hit a speed bump.
