Washington: As the US Senate prepares for a crucial vote on President Donald Trump's ambitious tax and immigration legislation, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on the proposal. Nicknamed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" by Trump, the legislation seeks to extend expiring tax cuts, expand military spending, and fund mass deportation efforts. However, it has sparked fierce criticism for threatening to slash social welfare programs while ballooning the national debt by over $3 trillion.
Lawmakers have been locked in marathon amendment sessions as they attempt to finalize the controversial bill. The proposal includes extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts at an estimated cost of $4.5 trillion and plans to finance significant defense expenditures and border security measures. But critics argue the cost comes at the expense of the nation’s poorest citizens, potentially cutting up to $1 trillion in subsidized healthcare and dramatically increasing the deficit over the next decade.
Elon Musk, who briefly served as a presidential advisor earlier in Trump’s tenure, did not mince words in his criticism. Taking to social media, he condemned lawmakers who supported the legislation despite campaigning on promises to reduce government spending. "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 stated. He further warned that he would work to unseat them in the upcoming primaries, declaring, "They will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth."
In a dramatic political escalation, Musk also threatened to launch a new political party called the America Party. Frustrated with what he described as the entrenched and ineffective Democrat-Republican "uniparty," Musk vowed to provide voters with a viable alternative. "If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a voice," he wrote.
The bill’s passage would be a significant legislative win for Trump, who has often relied on executive orders to advance his policy goals. However, while Republicans maintain a slim Senate majority, Democrats are unified in their opposition to the bill. Even within the GOP, some lawmakers have expressed concerns, particularly in the House of Representatives, where the bill faces additional hurdles due to dissent among Republican members.
Musk’s involvement has added a high-profile layer to the ongoing political battle. Over the weekend, he renewed his criticism of the legislation, calling it “utterly insane and destructive” just as the Senate began debating the nearly 1,000-page bill. He warned that its passage would destroy millions of American jobs and severely weaken the country’s economic position. The former head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has been vocal about what he sees as bloated and misdirected federal spending. He previously described the proposal as a “disgusting abomination” filled with unnecessary expenditures.
The feud between Musk and Trump has also escalated beyond policy differences. The two have taken jabs at each other online, culminating in Musk posting and then deleting a message that suggested a link between Trump and the Epstein files. While the post was quickly removed, it further highlighted the growing rift between the former allies.
Despite the controversy and internal opposition, Trump is pressing ahead, hoping to see the bill reach the Oval Office before the Independence Day celebrations. The process remains slow, with Senate leaders navigating a "vote-a-rama" of amendment proposals. As of early evening Monday, only 14 amendments had been voted on in more than seven hours. Nonetheless, given Trump’s strong influence within the Republican Party, final approval in the Senate appears likely.
The next major challenge will come in the House of Representatives, where Republican unity is less certain. Several members have indicated they may oppose the bill, citing concerns about its cost and the potential backlash from constituents. Still, the stakes are high, and the political fallout from the bill—whether it passes or not—could have lasting effects well into the 2026 midterm elections.
As the nation watches closely, Elon Musk’s opposition adds yet another dimension to a legislative battle that combines economic policy, political identity, and the future direction of American governance. Whether his threats of forming a new party materialize or serve only as pressure tactics, they reflect a growing frustration among influential figures over the current state of U.S. politics.
