Elon Musk Slams Trump’s Spending Bill as GOP Faces Backlash Over AI, Debt, and State Rights

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has reignited political tensions by condemning the GOP’s signature legislative effort—the Big Beautiful Bill Act—as a “disgusting abomination.” His late-night comments on X (formerly Twitter) targeted both the bill’s fiscal implications and its controversial AI provision, intensifying a growing divide within the Republican Party.

“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk wrote. “Shame on those who voted for it.”

Musk, a high-profile backer of Donald Trump, accused lawmakers of betraying American voters. He warned that the bill’s projected $2.5 trillion deficit would place an unsustainable burden on future generations. Despite his past involvement in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, Musk’s influence appears to be waning—evidenced by the White House’s decision to withdraw the NASA nomination of his ally Jared Isaacman.

Fractures in GOP Support for the Bill

The bill narrowly passed the House by a single vote, drawing criticism even from those who initially supported it. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) publicly expressed regret over her “yes” vote after discovering a section that would block states from regulating AI for the next decade.

“I am adamantly OPPOSED to this. We should be reducing federal power and preserving state rights,” Greene wrote, referencing pages 278–279 of the legislation.

Senators like Rand Paul (R-KY) have already signaled opposition in the Senate, citing the bill’s long-term deficit impact. At a recent hearing on AI and digital rights, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) also indicated disapproval of the AI clause, calling it a dangerous precedent for federal overreach.

This AI provision has stirred concerns not just for fiscal conservatives but also among tech watchers, who see it as an unregulated greenlight for industry players over the next decade. In a context where the influence of artificial intelligence is growing rapidly—even within sectors like entertainment and international streaming platforms such as Turkish series—the idea of sidelining local governance has sparked bipartisan skepticism.

White House and Party Reactions

At a White House press briefing, when asked about Musk’s attack, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated: “This is one big beautiful bill and [President Trump] is sticking to it.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson also defended the legislation, emphasizing its tax cuts and border security measures. He confirmed that he spoke with Musk privately about the bill, but failed to convince him of its merits.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) criticized Greene for not fully reading the bill before voting: “You have one job. To. Read. The. F–king. Bill.”

Looking Ahead

The Senate is expected to debate and possibly revise the Big Beautiful Bill Act later this month. With growing pressure from fiscal hawks, state-rights advocates, and high-profile influencers like Elon Musk, its future remains uncertain.

If controversial provisions—like the AI regulation freeze—remain untouched, expect renewed opposition when the legislation returns to the House.

The inclusion of AI regulation blocks in the bill raises deep concerns, especially as digital platforms expand globally, including in markets like Turkish series, where content oversight remains critical.