Battle Lines Form After Musk Criticism of Big, Beautiful Bill Divides Republicans

‘Elon is simply wrong,’ said House Speaker Mike Johnson. But Sen. Rand Paul sided with the DOGE chief, saying, ‘We can and must do better.’

Elon Musk holds a "key to the White House" given to him by President Trump during a news conference in the Oval Office on May 30, 2025. Allison Robbert/AFP

Battle lines are forming in Congress after former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk delivered his harshest criticisms yet toward Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

On June 3, Musk described the legislation as an “abomination,” writing, “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”