Elon Musk criticism of Trump tax bill spurs tension within House GOP

Elon Musk’s criticism of House Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” has caused a stir among GOP lawmakers, with some expressing frustration at the tech billionaire’s comments. One House GOP lawmaker, speaking anonymously, told Fox News Digital that Musk has no place in Congress and criticized his push for discretionary cuts, stating that he did not identify enough waste, fraud, and abuse to fund even the Small Business Administration.

The bill in question, which encompasses a wide range of issues including tax, immigration, defense, and energy, was passed by House Republicans last week as part of President Trump’s agenda. The GOP is aiming to pass it through the budget reconciliation process, which would allow for the legislation to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and sideline the minority party.

In an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning,” Musk expressed concerns that the bill undermines the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and increases the budget deficit. Republican supporters of the bill argue that the spending cuts Musk is advocating for cannot be achieved through the reconciliation process, as it primarily deals with mandatory government funding that requires changes to the law itself.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., pledged to address DOGE cuts in a different legislative vehicle apart from the “big, beautiful bill.” The White House is also planning to submit a package of proposed spending cuts, including those outlined by DOGE, to Congress in the coming week.

While some GOP lawmakers have criticized Musk’s comments, others have rallied around him, expressing similar concerns about the bill’s impact on the federal deficit. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., shared Musk’s worries and emphasized the need for the Senate to consider these concerns as the legislative process moves forward.

Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, the sole House Republican to vote against the bill, highlighted the rushed nature of the legislation and called for a more thorough examination of its components. Musk announced that he would be stepping away from his federal government role as his scheduled time as a Special Government Employee was coming to an end.

Overall, Musk’s criticism of the “big, beautiful bill” has sparked a debate among House Republicans, with some lawmakers supporting his concerns about the bill’s impact on the federal deficit and others pushing back against his calls for discretionary cuts. The future of the legislation remains uncertain as it moves through the legislative process.