Elon Musk intensified his opposition Saturday to the sweeping tax and spending legislation championed by President Donald Trump, warning that the bill would devastate jobs and stifle emerging industries.
“The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country,” Musk wrote on X ahead of a crucial Senate procedural vote to begin debate on the nearly 1,000-page legislation. “It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future.”
Coinciding with his birthday, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO added that the bill would be “political suicide for the Republican Party.” His remarks reignited tensions between the tech billionaire—who recently left his government role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency—and the administration he once supported.
Senate Republican leaders have been working overtime to pass the bill before Trump’s July 4 deadline, facing resistance from within their ranks.
History of Musk’s Public Feuds Over the Legislation
Musk has previously condemned the “big, beautiful bill” as “pork-filled” and a “disgusting abomination,” shortly after stepping down from his government position. He accused lawmakers who supported the bill of betraying the American people and threatened political retaliation against them.
The public clash escalated when Trump expressed disappointment with Musk’s comments. Musk then suggested, without evidence, that Trump was connected to files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Musk later walked back some of his posts, and Trump downplayed the feud in an interview.
While Musk’s political influence has declined since leaving government, he remains a major GOP donor, having contributed hundreds of millions to Trump’s 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, Trump publicly pressured Republican senators opposing the bill, singling out Sen. Thom Tillis and threatening to campaign against him.
Despite opposition, the Senate narrowly cleared the procedural vote late Saturday, allowing formal debate to begin.
What The Author Thinks
Musk’s sharp rebuke of the bill underscores deep tensions within the Republican Party between its traditional base and those pushing for modernized economic policies. While his criticisms may complicate the path forward, they also signal a necessary conversation about balancing fiscal responsibility with support for future industries. Political leaders should heed such voices to avoid alienating innovators and voters alike.
Featured image credit: FMT
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