Elon Musk Exits Trump Advising Role After Criticizing ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and Federal Spending

Elon Musk Exits Trump Advising Role After Criticizing ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and Federal Spending

Last Updated May - 29 - 2025, 02:03 PM | Source : Fela News

Elon Musk steps down as top adviser to President Trump, citing disappointment with the “big beautiful bill” for increasing the deficit. Musk reflects on challen

Elon Musk is stepping down from his role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after leading efforts to streamline and cut federal bureaucracy. Announcing his departure on X, Musk thanked Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending and expressed confidence that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) mission will continue to strengthen within the government.

A White House official confirmed Musk’s exit, which follows his public criticism of Trump’s signature legislative effort—the so-called “big beautiful bill.” Musk called the bill a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and undermines the goals of DOGE. Speaking to CBS, he remarked, “I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, but I don’t know if it could be both.”

Trump defended the bill in the Oval Office, acknowledging some parts he was unhappy with but expressing overall satisfaction and indicating possible future revisions. The bill has passed the House and is currently under Senate debate. Some Republicans, including Senator Ron Johnson, share Musk’s concerns, hoping to slow the bill’s progress to push for deeper spending cuts.

House Speaker Mike Johnson urged minimal changes to preserve the delicate balance reached in the House and thanked Musk for his work, pledging to continue efforts to reduce spending based on DOGE’s findings. The White House is also sending rescission proposals to Congress, including cuts of $1.1 billion to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $8.3 billion in foreign aid.

As Musk exits government work, he plans to focus more on his companies Tesla and SpaceX and reduce his political spending, saying he believes he’s done enough. He admitted to The Washington Post that the federal bureaucracy was more entrenched and challenging to reform than he expected, falling far short of his $1 trillion target for spending cuts.

Earlier, Musk had shown enthusiasm for working with Trump, praising him publicly and participating actively in the administration’s efforts to tackle federal spending. Trump reciprocated the praise, calling Musk “a truly great American” and even using the White House driveway to showcase Tesla vehicles.

Musk’s criticisms could energize Republicans seeking deeper spending cuts. Senator Mike Lee echoed Musk’s stance, stating the Senate bill must be more aggressive or risk failing. Only two House Republicans opposed the bill, with one noting Musk’s comments in support of stronger fiscal reform.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill’s tax cuts will increase deficits by $3.8 trillion over ten years, while spending cuts would reduce costs by about $1 trillion. House leaders argue economic growth will offset the deficit impact, but outside groups remain skeptical, estimating the bill could add $3 trillion in debt, including interest, over the decade.

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