Elon Musk has launched a fresh and forceful attack on President Donald Trump’s signature economic legislation, calling it “utterly insane” and warning it would destroy millions of American jobs. The latest comments come as the Senate prepares to vote on the sweeping bill, officially titled the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which includes major tax cuts and significant spending increases.
On his 54th birthday, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the nearly 1,000-page proposal, warning it could push the U.S. into what he described as “debt slavery” due to a projected $5 trillion spike in the federal debt ceiling.
“This bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country,” Musk wrote, adding that it “amounts to political suicide for the Republican Party.”
Attacking Fossil Fuel Subsidies and “Old Industries”
Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, also slammed the bill for allegedly favoring traditional fossil fuel industries at the expense of future-focused sectors like electric vehicles and clean energy.
“It’s a gift to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future,” he posted, echoing statements he has made in previous months.
Musk’s comments further deepened a rift between the tech billionaire and Trump. While the two once shared close ties — Musk served on Trump’s economic advisory councils during his first term — their relationship has soured sharply in recent years.
Trump and GOP Response
Despite Musk’s sharp criticism, Senate Republican leaders pressed forward with the bill. Majority Leader John Thune downplayed the billionaire’s remarks, saying, “We respect Mr. Musk’s opinion, but we remain committed to passing this bill for the American people.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Trump’s support for the legislation, calling it “a bold plan to put America first” and dismissing Musk’s warnings as “out of touch with the needs of working Americans.”
The bill narrowly advanced in the Senate earlier this week by a 51–49 procedural vote, setting up final debates in the coming days. If passed, it would enact sweeping tax cuts, increase defense and border security spending, and reduce funding for Medicaid and clean energy programs.
Dividing Conservatives
Musk’s criticism resonated with some Republican lawmakers. Senator Rand Paul expressed agreement in a post of his own, warning about “irresponsible debt” and echoing concerns that the bill would damage long-term economic stability.
Meanwhile, conservative and business circles appear increasingly split. Analysts suggest that Musk’s public opposition could further fuel internal GOP divisions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and potentially impact Trump’s standing among key independent and moderate voters.
Economic Stakes
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the bill would increase the federal deficit significantly over the next decade. Supporters argue that tax cuts would stimulate growth and create jobs, while opponents warn of ballooning national debt and cuts to social safety nets.
