Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s bromance might be hitting a rough patch.
The DOGE czar isn’t happy with the President’s latest spending plan.
And Elon Musk just took a direct shot at the “big, beautiful bill” that had Washington stunned.
Musk publicly criticizes Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) founder Elon Musk isn’t muzzling himself when it comes to the massive spending package making its way through Congress.
In a preview of his upcoming CBS interview set to air this Sunday, Musk expressed clear frustration with the bill’s impact on America’s finances.
“So, you know, I was like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decrease it and undermines the work the DOGE team is doing,” Musk told CBS correspondent David Pogue.
When Pogue suggested that the bill essentially “wipes out” everything DOGE has accomplished in its first year, Musk responded with a subtle jab at Trump’s famous description of the legislation.
“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion,” Musk stated.
The exchange marks one of the first public disagreements between the tech billionaire and President Trump since the administration took office in January.
The $1.4 trillion price tag raises eyebrows
The legislation, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” by President Trump, comes with a hefty $1.4 trillion price tag that has fiscal conservatives like Musk worried about its long-term impact on the national debt.
While the bill includes several popular provisions – extending the 2017 tax cuts, eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime pay, and removing interest from loans on American-made vehicles – the massive spending has created an unlikely alliance of budget hawks from both parties questioning its wisdom.
The House narrowly passed the bill with a 215-214 vote, showcasing just how divisive the legislation has become even among Republicans who typically support the President’s agenda.
Senate prospects look grim without major changes
The bill’s journey through the Senate appears even more challenging, with several Republican senators already signaling they won’t support it in its current form.
Senator Rick Scott of Florida, usually a reliable Trump ally, has taken a firm stance against the legislation.
“Oh absolutely I’d vote no,” Scott told conservative host Charlie Kirk in a recent interview. “If they brought it to the floor right now there’s not a chance it would get to 51 votes.”
Scott highlighted the fundamental economic concerns shared by many fiscal conservatives. “We all know we have to balance the budget. We all know it’s getting harder to sell our treasuries,” he explained.
🚨BREAKING: Just moments ago, Sen. Rick Scott said he’s a NO on the One Big Beautiful Bill in its current form. He’s demanding more spending cuts and setting America on the path to a balanced budget.
“Oh absolutely I’d vote no. If they brought it to the floor right now there’s… pic.twitter.com/a73QWl2IHb
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 27, 2025
Trump’s agenda vs. Musk’s efficiency mission
The public disagreement highlights the inherent tension between Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda and DOGE’s mandate to find government inefficiencies and reduce spending.
Musk made headlines by identifying billions in potential government savings. The bill’s massive spending would effectively counter those efforts in one fell swoop.
Among the bill’s other provisions are a $1,000 tax-free “MAGA Savings Account” for every newborn American, an increase in the child tax credit to $2,500 through 2028, and new work requirements for Medicaid starting in 2026.
While these individual components have strong support among various constituencies, the total package has created strange bedfellows among those concerned about America’s financial future.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the administration can salvage the legislation in the Senate or if substantial revisions will be needed to secure its passage.
For now, it appears that the honeymoon period between Trump and the high-profile DOGE founder might be coming to an end – at least when it comes to government spending.
