Republican lawmakers Rand Paul (Kentucky) and Mike Lee (Utah) are voicing support for tech billionaires who are criticizing the version of the bill approved by the House that outlines President Trump’s agenda.
“We need to do better.” Paul stated in response to a post from Musk on the social platform X this Tuesday, condemning the so-called “one big beautiful bill act” as “malicious hatred.”
Lee echoed this sentiment in his written response to Musk, saying, “The Senate must improve this bill.”
Musk’s strong critique of the proposals pushed by Trump and House Republican leaders comes shortly after his tenure at the White House concluded as a special advisor on government spending, also overseeing the Trump administration’s Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tolerate this any longer. This massive, outrageous, pork-laden Congressional spending bill reeks of malicious hatred,” Musk wrote on X, the platform he oversees. “I’m embarrassed for those who cast their votes in favor. Deep down, you know it was wrong.”
The extensive tax and spending legislation extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, boosts funding for border security and defense priorities, and curtails spending on social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance. It narrowly passed the GOP-controlled House in May and is now headed for Senate scrutiny. However, Paul and other senators have already flagged projections that suggest it would contribute nearly $4 trillion to the national debt.
During an interview on CBS Sunday Morning this past weekend, Musk expressed his dissatisfaction with the lukewarm nature of the proposal, claiming it “undermines the work that the Doge team is undertaking.”
“I believe the bill could grow, or possibly it might actually be beautiful,” Musk commented in the interview. “I’m not sure if it can be both — that’s just my personal view.”
Nevertheless, the heightened scrutiny illustrated the extent of his criticism while also defending his initiatives to reduce government waste.
“We’ve raised our already significant fiscal deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!), and American taxpayers will have to shoulder this unsustainable debt.” He articulated in a follow-up post on Tuesday.
In contrast, the White House dismissed Musk’s criticisms, despite him being a prominent donor to Trump’s reelection campaign last fall.
“The president is already aware of his position concerning this bill,” he told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday. “That stance remains unchanged.”
Trump criticized Paul on Truth Social on Tuesday, accusing the Kentucky lawmaker of voting “against everything” and claiming he “never” offers practical or constructive suggestions.
Source: thehill.com