Elon Musk has sharply escalated his opposition to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and budget legislation, warning Republican lawmakers who support the bill that he will actively fund efforts to unseat them in upcoming primaries.
In a series of posts published June 30 on X (formerly Twitter), Musk — the world’s richest man and a former senior adviser in the Trump administration — criticized the legislation for dramatically expanding the national debt. The bill, a cornerstone of Trump’s domestic policy in his second term, would increase the federal debt ceiling by $5 trillion, a move Musk described as “the biggest debt increase in history.”
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame,” Musk posted. “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
Musk’s opposition comes despite a recent attempt to mend relations with Trump following his contentious exit from the White House in late May. During his tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk had advocated aggressive cuts to government spending before resigning, citing fundamental disagreements with Trump’s fiscal agenda.
The Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, is expected to vote soon on the bill, which has already triggered intense debate. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the legislation would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next ten years. It would also lead to significant cuts in social programs, including removing 11.8 million people from Medicaid by 2034 and slashing nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In one of his posts, Musk took aim at two members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, Reps. Andy Harris (R-MD) and Chip Roy (R-TX), whose support may prove decisive. “How can you call yourself the Freedom Caucus if you vote for a DEBT SLAVERY bill?” Musk asked, tagging both lawmakers directly.
Musk also renewed his call for a new political movement, accusing both major parties of unsustainable spending. “It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill… that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!” he wrote. “Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.”
Despite his vocal opposition, Musk’s political future remains uncertain. Having donated nearly $290 million to Republican candidates during the 2024 election cycle — making him the largest single donor — he has recently suggested a retreat from political spending. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum on May 20, Musk said, “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough.”
Nonetheless, his latest barrage of criticism indicates Musk may not be stepping away from politics just yet. As the Senate prepares to vote on what Trump has called his “big, beautiful bill,” pressure from high-profile figures like Musk could reshape the debate — and the 2026 primary season.
