Elon Musk slams Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” igniting GOP Senate debate over debt, spending, and economic priorities.

Musk's Rejection of Trump’s Bill Rattles Senate Republicans

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk launched a public offensive this week against President Donald Trump’s sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill,” calling it a fiscal disaster and urging lawmakers to reject it. His criticism has triggered renewed division among Senate Republicans, some of whom are now distancing themselves from the legislation’s current form.

“This immense level of overspending will drive America into debt slavery!” Musk wrote on X, referencing the rising national debt, which now exceeds $36 trillion. He warned that continued deficit spending will crowd out funding for key programs, stating, “There will only be money for interest payments and nothing else! No social security, no medical, no defense … nothing.”

The legislation, which passed the House last month with Trump’s backing, includes provisions spanning tax, defense, immigration, and energy reforms. But Musk’s fierce denunciation — calling the bill a “disgusting abomination” — has added weight to internal GOP resistance. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,” Musk posted, amplifying tension among conservative lawmakers.

GOP Senators Push Back Amid Debt Ceiling Fears

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., acknowledged the concerns but remained confident in the bill’s trajectory. “The legislation, as passed by the House, can be approved here in the Senate, can be strengthened in the Senate,” he said, pledging to return a revised version to the House before Independence Day.

Yet the fractures are increasingly visible. Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., aligned with Musk’s skepticism, demanding significant cuts before offering support. Paul opposes a $5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling and insists on a broader overhaul. “He has some of the same skepticism I have,” Paul said.

Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wis., echoed those concerns, seeking a rollback to pre-pandemic spending levels — a move he argues could yield $6 trillion in cuts. “I share his concerns,” Johnson said of Musk, praising his previous role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, took aim at unchecked federal spending. “The resulting inflation harms Americans and weaponizes government,” Lee said. “The Senate can make this bill better. It must now do so.”

Not all Republicans shared Musk’s outrage. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., while opposing some Medicaid proposals in the bill, dismissed Musk’s remarks: “Well, he's entitled to his opinion, it's a free country.”

Senator Jim Justice, R-W.V., was more direct. “Donald Trump is our president, not Elon Musk,” he said, downplaying the influence of the tech mogul’s opinion on legislative matters.

Musk, who recently stepped down as head of the DOGE office, has doubled down on his calls to curb government spending. “Mammoth spending bills are bankrupting America! ENOUGH,” he posted, signaling continued opposition to what he sees as unsustainable fiscal policy.

With Senate Republicans divided and the July deadline looming, the fate of Trump’s legislative centerpiece now hinges on a delicate negotiation between White House priorities and conservative fiscal demands. Whether the Senate can reconcile the gaps remains to be seen — but Musk’s intervention has clearly shifted the tone.