A public feud has erupted between Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump over the latter’s signature tax and spending bill. Musk, who briefly served in the Trump administration, has denounced the legislation as a revolting ugly move, signaling a growing divide within the Republican party.

The Bone of Contention: The “Big Beautiful Bill”

The bill,championed by Trump as the “big beautiful bill,” passed the House last month. It encompasses significant tax cuts, increased defense spending, and an allowance for the U.S. government to increase its borrowing. Critics, including Musk, argue that it will drastically increase the national debt.

Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his displeasure, stating that the bill would rather increase the already huge budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and put American citizens on a heavy and unsustainable debt burden. He further condemned those who support the bill, declaring, Those who vote for this bill are shameful.

Musk’s Exit and Lingering Discontent

Musk’s criticism comes shortly after his departure from the Trump administration, where he and his team, known as the “Doge,” spent 129 days attempting to cut federal government costs. While Trump has publicly stated that He will always be with us and help along the way, Musk’s recent remarks mark a clear departure from that sentiment.

Prior to his public condemnation, Musk had privately expressed his disappointment with the plan.

Republican Divisions Exposed

Musk’s opposition highlights deeper rifts within the Republican Party regarding the bill. During House deliberations, the legislation faced strong opposition from various factions within the party. These divisions are now surfacing in the Senate, where the Republican Party holds a narrow advantage.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has voiced his opposition, stating he will not support the bill if it raises the debt ceiling. Once the bill is voted thru, the Republicans are responsible for the debt, Paul told CBS News.

Trump responded to Paul’s criticism with a series of social media posts, accusing him of knowing almost nothing about the bill and claiming that the people of Kentucky cannot stand him. He added, His thoughts are actually crazy.

Republican Leadership Responds

Republican leaders have attempted to downplay the significance of Musk’s criticism. Senate Majority Leader John thune told reporters that despite divergence, the Republican Party still plans to go at full speed. He emphasized that We have a set of agendas that everyone has promised during the campaign, especially the president.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key proponent of the bill, expressed his disappointment, stating, My friend Elon was very wrong. He added, This is a very critically important starting point. Elon didn’t see the point clearly.

Johnson revealed that he had a 20-minute phone call with Musk to discuss the bill, notably the gradual removal of the electric vehicle tax credit, which could have an impact on Musk’s company Tesla. He expressed regret that Musk still publicly criticized the bill after their conversation, saying, I’m very sorry that he made this mistake.

Underlying Grievances

According to Axios,one of Musk’s underlying grievances involves the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic control system. Musk had hoped to operate the system through his Starlink satellite network, but the proposal was rejected due to technical concerns and potential conflicts of interest.

Unexpected Support from Democrats

Despite Musk’s past support for Trump, some Democrats have welcomed his criticism of the bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, Even Elon Musk, who was involved in the whole process and one of Trump’s close friends, said the bill was awful. We can imagine how bad it was.

Bill’s Key Provisions

The legislation aims to extend the tax cuts passed in 2017, significantly increase the defense budget, and provide funding for the repatriation of undocumented immigrants. It also includes provisions to raise the government’s debt ceiling to $4 trillion, a move that has drawn criticism from fiscal conservatives.

Political Donations and Spending Cuts

Musk’s concerns also extend to what he describes as outrageous, political donations within the bill. In the U.S. political context, “political donations” often refer to specific project expenditures that lawmakers secure for their constituencies, sometimes carrying negative connotations of misused public funds.

To appease conservatives advocating for spending cuts, Trump has requested Congress to pass a plan to cut current spending by $9.4 billion, based on recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency Team. This plan primarily targets funding for foreign aid, the United states Agency for International Growth (USAID), National Public Radio (NPR), and the American Public Broadcasting Corporation (PBS).

Musk’s Political Warning

Musk, who previously vowed to fund campaign challenges against Republicans who oppose Trump’s agenda, issued another political warning: Next November, we will fire all politicians who betray the American people.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed Musk’s comments, stating, The president has long known musk’s position on the bill. She reiterated Trump’s support for the legislation, adding, it’s a big, beautiful bill (big, beautiful bill) and the president will stick to it.