Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and former head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has launched an aggressive campaign against Trump’s signature legislative proposal, vowing to fund primary challengers to any Republican lawmaker who votes for it.
The bill in question—often referred to by Trump as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill”—is a sweeping 940-page budget reconciliation package that combines the president’s second-term priorities, including a permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts, historic increases in immigration enforcement funding, national defense boosts, and entitlement reforms. But central to the controversy is the bill’s inclusion of a $5 trillion increase in the federal debt ceiling—a move Musk equated to “debt slavery.”
“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 wrote Monday on X. “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
Musk’s threat marks a sharp break from his previous alignment with Trump, to whom he contributed more than $250 million during the 2024 election cycle, making him the single largest GOP donor that year. Since stepping down from DOGE in May, Musk has grown increasingly vocal in criticizing the president’s domestic agenda.
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!
And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2025
On Monday, Musk went even further, suggesting that the Republican Party has morphed into what he mockingly called the “PORKY PIG PARTY,” arguing that the bill’s fiscal policies betray conservative values. He also floated the idea of creating a new political party focused on cutting government spending.
The internal GOP divide has intensified in recent days. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) have both pledged to oppose the bill, citing the unprecedented debt ceiling increase. Meanwhile, congressional leadership insists the move is necessary to avoid default and secure long-term savings through structural reforms.
Beyond fiscal policy, Musk has also expressed outrage over proposed rollbacks to Biden-era green energy tax credits, which directly impact his businesses. While Musk has publicly opposed subsidies in principle, he reportedly lobbied to preserve the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit that would benefit Tesla and its solar energy division. Lawmakers in both chambers appear poised to eliminate the credit in final negotiations.
Republican lawmakers offered mixed reactions to Musk’s attacks. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) said the criticism was premature, noting the bill was not yet finalized. “I think it’s a little unfair to prejudge a bill that hasn’t passed,” he said.
Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) called Musk “a good guy” but criticized his public posturing: “I’m sure Elon has a real ego… The classiest thing in the world we could do is quit the food fight.”
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) dismissed the controversy altogether. “I don’t think a single person is talking about [the tweet], actually,” he told reporters.
Despite growing opposition from influential voices like Musk, Senate leadership has pushed forward. The Senate version of the bill could pass as early as Monday night, with the House expected to vote on the amended proposal by midweek—just in time for Trump’s desired July 4th signing.
