Elon Musk has publicly criticized one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent policy achievements, marking a sharp departure from the man he once helped re-elect.
The Tesla CEO and former cost-cutting czar in Trump’s administration slammed the president’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in an interview with CBS, calling it a blow to the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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From Insider to Critic
Musk had been leading the DOGE initiative since January, with a mission to cut federal spending by $1 trillion.
His tenure included efforts to slash foreign aid and reduce the government workforce, moves that sparked protests and boycotts against Tesla. Despite those challenges, Musk defended his role, stating: “I did what needed to be done.”
Per The Guardian, Musk’s political action committee donated $200 million (£148 million) to Trump’s presidential campaign prior to the November election.
The pair had frequently been seen together during the first weeks of Trump's second term, with Trump even buying a brand-new Tesla on the lawn of the White House.
However, in April, Musk announced he was stepping back from his political role following a slump in Tesla earnings. He has since indicated he plans to “do a lot less” political spending in future and focus on leading Tesla for at least another five years.
“Big” or “Beautiful” — But Not Both
Trump’s sweeping bill, narrowly passed by the House of Representatives, includes extensions of the 2017 tax cuts, increased defense spending, enhanced border security, new Medicaid work requirements, and the elimination of clean energy incentives.
It also boosts the debt ceiling to $4 trillion and significantly expands federal powers to carry out mass deportations.
Musk, however, isn’t buying the branding.
“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 told CBS News.
“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion."
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation could add as much as $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit by 2034.
Rising Tensions with the White House
Musk’s comments reflect a broader rift within Republican ranks over Trump’s tax and spend agenda. Despite donating more than $250 million to Trump’s re-election campaign, Musk now finds himself publicly at odds with the administration.
DOGE’s own website claims it has already saved $175 billion through canceled contracts and cuts, but a BBC analysis has found those claims lack substantial evidence. The spending bill, Musk argues, directly undermines that work.
“It’s disappointing,” Musk reiterated in the CBS interview preview. “The deficit’s going the wrong way.”
While the bill has passed the House, it has yet to be voted on in the Senate. Still, Musk’s break from Trump signals growing dissent—even among the president’s wealthiest backers.