Former Trump Ally Musk Warns Against “Massive Spending Bill” Impact on Deficit

In a stunning reversal of their previous alliance, Elon Musk has positioned himself as a critic of Donald Trump’s signature tax legislation, warning that the president’s spending plan undermines efforts to control government costs. The billionaire’s comments to CBS represent the most public break yet between two figures who were closely aligned during the early months of Trump’s presidency.
Musk’s concerns center on the bill’s projected $2.3 trillion addition to the federal deficit despite its inclusion of significant cuts to social programs. The legislation cuts Medicaid, food stamps, and other assistance programs by $1 trillion while simultaneously funding expensive immigration enforcement and border construction projects, creating what Musk views as an incoherent approach to fiscal policy.
The timing of Musk’s criticism coincides with his stepped-back role in the Trump administration and Tesla’s continuing financial struggles. The company’s 71% profit decline and 25% stock value loss since Musk joined the government suggest that his business challenges may be influencing his willingness to challenge Trump publicly. This convergence of personal, business, and policy factors appears to have transformed a key Trump supporter into a vocal opponent.