Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ faces resistance from Musk, Senate Republicans
A group of Senate Republicans, already critical of the House GOP’s version of President Donald Trump’s proposed legislation, found an unexpected ally in Elon Musk. The tech billionaire, who recently left his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, once again voiced his strong opposition to the House’s reconciliation package on Tuesday.
Calling the bill an “abomination,” Musk did not mince words in his criticism of the massive spending package. He condemned those who supported it, stating that they knew they had done wrong. His comments added to the growing dissent among Senate Republicans, who have promised to make changes to the bill before sending it to the president’s desk.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, acknowledged Musk’s concerns but emphasized that there were differences of opinion between the tech mogul and the Senate GOP. Thune expressed confidence that the bill could be approved in the Senate with modifications and then passed back to the House for final approval.
While some lawmakers, like Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, shared Musk’s skepticism of the bill, others were less receptive to his criticisms. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin insisted on deeper spending cuts before he would support the legislation, while Senator Mike Lee of Utah highlighted the harmful effects of excessive federal spending on inflation.
However, not all Senate Republicans were swayed by Musk’s remarks. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri remained focused on protecting Medicaid benefits for his constituents, regardless of Musk’s opinions. Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia bluntly reminded observers that Donald Trump was the president, not Elon Musk.
The discord among Senate Republicans over the proposed legislation underscores the challenges facing lawmakers as they work to advance President Trump’s agenda. With various concerns and differing opinions, finding common ground on the bill may prove to be a difficult task in the days ahead.
