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In a fiery critique delivered on Tuesday, Elon Musk slammed the Republican Party's extensive domestic policy bill currently making its way through Congress. Musk described the legislation as a "disgusting abomination" in a post on his social media platform X. "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You Know it," wrote Musk, expressing his frustration with what he called an "outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill."

This harsh rebuke from Musk, who until last week led the Department of Government Efficiency, has injected further controversy into a bill already facing scrutiny. The GOP's multi-trillion dollar package, which incorporates significant tax and spending cuts, narrowly passed the House in May and is now under review in the Senate. With the Republican Party holding a slim margin, they can afford to lose only three votes to pass the package.

Musk's comments come on the heels of his prior criticism of the legislation. In a CBS interview last week, he expressed disappointment in the bill's hefty price tag, noting it not only fails to reduce the budget deficit but actually increases it, undermining the work of his former department.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., who has pledged to deliver the bill to President Trump's desk by July 4, now faces additional challenges in garnering support. Thune acknowledged Musk's concerns are based on a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate, which suggests the bill could add $2.3 trillion to the deficit over ten years. Thune hopes that upcoming CBO details on potential economic growth resulting from the policy changes will persuade Musk to reconsider his stance.

Tensions within the GOP are evident, with Senators Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Rand Paul each voicing their reservations. Johnson insists on a return to pre-pandemic spending levels, while Paul rejects any bill that includes a provision to raise the national borrowing limit. This internal discord comes as President Trump aims to stand firm on the bill, dismissing Paul's criticisms as "crazy (losers!)" on social media.

Despite the pushback, the White House has taken a somewhat restrained approach regarding Musk’s opposition. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump remains steadfast in his support for the bill, describing it as "one big, beautiful bill."

The unfolding debate within the GOP underscores the complex dynamics at play as the bill inches closer to a critical Senate vote, with influential figures like Musk continuing to shape the discourse.