Tech mogul Elon Musk is making headlines once again—this time not for his business ventures or social media pronouncements, but for his sharp critique of a Republican-backed legislative package that just cleared the House.

Musk’s involvement in Washington has often centered on slashing government waste, but now he’s voicing concern that recent actions by GOP lawmakers could undermine the very reforms he helped initiate. According to The Hill, Musk said he was “disappointed” to see the House pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping measure that bundles together major Republican priorities in a single package.

The bill moves to the Senate after last-minute negotiations secured enough support for passage. It extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, boosts border and defense funding, tightens Medicaid rules, and reduces green energy tax breaks. It also raises the debt ceiling by \$4 trillion, drawing criticism from lawmakers worried about rising deficits.

Conservative priorities dominate measure

GOP leaders hailed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” as a major win for conservative governance. By pushing through tax cut extensions and prioritizing national defense and border security, Republicans argue they are delivering on promises made to their base. The bill’s name adopts a signature slogan of President Trump, who has championed these policies since his first term.

Supporters point to the increased funding for border enforcement and deportation efforts as a crucial step in stemming illegal immigration. At the same time, the legislation boosts defense budgets, a longtime pillar of Republican national security policy. House Republicans say these investments are needed to keep the nation safe and secure.

However, the bill’s reforms to Medicaid have sparked debate even among some on the right. It imposes stricter work requirements for recipients, a change projected to result in millions of low-income Americans losing health coverage. Proponents argue this will encourage self-sufficiency, while critics warn of dire consequences for vulnerable populations.

Musk’s critique and budget concerns

Elon Musk, who until recently led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump, did not mince words about the bill’s fiscal impact. Having made a name for himself by slashing government payrolls and rooting out inefficiency, Musk now sees the new legislation as a step backward. He believes the bill’s massive spending contradicts the principles he tried to instill in federal agencies.

In a preview of his interview with “CBS Sunday Morning,” Musk said, “I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit … and it undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.” For Musk, a self-styled reformer, the bill’s passage represents a missed opportunity to further rein in government excess.

He added, “I think a bill can be big, or it could be beautiful. I don’t know if it could be both. My personal opinion.” Musk’s remarks highlight the tension between the desire for bold legislative action and the need for fiscal discipline—a debate that has long divided the conservative movement.

Democrats and critics slam changes

While Republicans tout the bill as a conservative triumph, Democrats and other critics have lined up in opposition. They argue the legislation’s Medicaid reforms will leave millions without health insurance and that rolling back green energy incentives will harm both the environment and the economy. For many on the left, the bill is an example of misplaced priorities and unnecessary cruelty.

Democratic lawmakers also object to the process by which the bill was passed. Last-minute changes to the text, they say, left little time for debate or scrutiny. Some have accused GOP leadership of railroading the measure through without proper transparency or public input.

Meanwhile, deficit hawks—even some within the Republican Party—are raising alarms about the bill’s $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling. They warn that such a move could threaten the nation’s long-term fiscal health and undermine efforts to control government spending despite the bill’s other conservative features.

Bill’s fate rests with Senate decision

With the House approval secured, all eyes now turn to the Senate, where the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” faces an uncertain future. Senators from both parties will have to weigh the bill’s ambitious scope against concerns about its impact on the deficit, health coverage, and environmental policy.

Musk’s public disappointment, combined with criticism from Democrats and some Republican fiscal conservatives, ensures that the debate over the bill is far from settled. Lawmakers will need to address these concerns as they move forward with deliberations.

As the Senate prepares to take up the measure, the fate of President Trump’s legislative agenda hangs in the balance. Conservative priorities remain at the forefront, but divisions within and between the parties could determine whether the bill ultimately becomes law.