Elon Musk Calls Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ “Political Suicide” for the GOP
“Utterly insane and destructive”—Musk says $5T Republican megabill will wreck U.S. jobs and betray the party’s future.
Musk Blasts Trump-Backed Bill in Series of Sharp Online Rebukes
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, unleashed a wave of criticism over the weekend targeting President Donald Trump’s $5 trillion legislative package. Musk warned the bill would cripple innovation and damage the Republican Party’s standing heading into the 2026 midterms. “Polls show that this bill is political suicide for the Republican Party,” Musk wrote Saturday on his platform. The 940-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” narrowly cleared the Senate in a 51–49 procedural vote, according to a report by The Hill.
“Utterly Insane and Destructive”: Musk Ramps Up the Rhetoric
Musk did not mince words. “The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!” he posted. In another message, he added, “Utterly insane and destructive. It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future.”
Earlier in June, Musk had already labeled the proposal “a disgusting abomination,” calling it a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill.” He directed blame at GOP lawmakers: “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
Republican Senators Break Ranks
Despite majority support among Senate Republicans, two senators defected. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) opposed the bill’s $5 trillion debt ceiling hike. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) cited concerns over an estimated $38.9 billion Medicaid loss for North Carolina.
The Wall Street Journal reports the bill features permanent corporate tax cuts, reduced SNAP and Medicaid funding, increased military and border security spending, and a rollback of renewable energy tax credits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the package could raise the national deficit by $3.3 trillion over the next decade.
Trump in Power, Musk in Open Revolt
President Trump—sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2025—celebrated the Senate vote on Truth Social, calling it “a big, beautiful win for the American people,” according to The Economic Times.
Musk, once an economic advisor in Trump’s first term, has since become a fierce critic. In recent weeks, he accused Trump of appearing in sealed Jeffrey Epstein court files and called for his impeachment—claims reported by News9Live, TIME, and Hindustan Times.
White House officials have not publicly responded, though insiders note rising concern about Musk’s influence among tech-aligned and independent voters.
Deepening GOP Divide Before 2026
With midterms looming, strategists warn that Musk’s critique—particularly the phrase “political suicide”—could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Analysts at the Brookings Institution say the bill’s prioritization of industrial-age subsidies over forward-looking investments may alienate younger conservatives and suburban independents.
Some Republicans fear the legislation could fracture their coalition at a time when the party is seeking to consolidate power across both chambers of Congress.
Tech Sector Rejects the Bill’s Backward Priorities
Musk’s critique is resonating across Silicon Valley and Wall Street. “Focus on the future, not the fossilized,” wrote investor Chamath Palihapitiya, joining a chorus of opposition from innovation leaders. Many argue the bill punishes clean energy and AI development while doubling down on defense and fossil fuel subsidies.
As the House prepares to take up the bill, pressure is building from all sides. Whether the GOP chooses to pivot or push forward could define the remainder of Trump’s second term—and reshape the party’s electoral fortunes.