Dear Commons Community,
Elon Musk, once Trump’s key ally in cutting government spending, is launching an all-out attack on President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and policy bill, urging his 220 million-plus followers on social media to lobby their lawmakers and “KILL the BILL.” As reported by USA Today.
Musk, who formally left his job working for Trump on May 30, has been publicly lambasting the Republican president’s signature legislation that would extend 2017 income tax cuts and implement new tax cuts on tipped wages and overtime that were central promises from his successful 2024 presidential campaign.
Those provisions are expensive, and Musk is now railing against the overall bill’s costs. The House-passed legislation is expected to add around $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years if it were to become law, according to the most recent nonpartisan analysis.
In highlighting his fiscal concerns, Musk argued the legislation’s price tag undermines the work that he did leading the Department of Government Efficiency cost-cutting project. On June 3, Musk called the bill a “disgusting abomination” and suggested that Republicans who voted for the package – all but two of them in the House – should face primary challenges.
“I think he’s flat wrong. I think he’s way off on this, and I’ve told him as much, and I’ve said it publicly and privately,” House Speaker Mike Johnson responded on June 4 when pressed on Musk’s public comments.
Trump, known to lash out at his critics, has pushed back on Republicans senators who oppose his tax bill but has remained silent about Musk.
A senior White House official told USA Today that Trump is disappointed by Musk’s criticisms over the tax bill but the president is committed to get the legislation passed.
The argument signals a showdown between Trump and his billionaire former advisor, and it may threaten to derail the legislation as Musk inflames existing tensions in the Republican conference. Several GOP senators, including Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, Rick Scott, R-Florida, and Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, have also raised concerns about the package’s overall cost.
Like other “big name” supporters such as Chris Christi and Rudy Giuliani, Musk leaves Trump’s orbit.
Tony
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