Elon Musk unleashed a firestorm on X, blasting the Senate’s latest spending bill as a job-killing disaster. The tech titan, once a key Trump ally, didn’t mince words on his 54th birthday accusing the legislation of gutting America’s economic future.
Fox Business reported that on Friday, Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., unveiled the draft of President Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill,” sparking immediate controversy.
The proposal tweaks Medicaid taxes, caps state and local tax deductions, adjusts food benefit costs, and slashes incentives for wind and solar projects. Musk, alongside Senate Democrats and clean energy advocates, zeroed in on the renewable energy cuts as particularly destructive.
Musk’s X post on June 28 declared the bill would “destroy millions of jobs” and wreak “immense strategic harm” on the nation.
Such hyperbole might sound like vintage Musk, but it’s grounded in the bill’s new taxes on wind and solar sites starting production after 2028. Critics argue these measures choke off investment in America’s fastest-growing energy sectors.
Flash back to June 3, 2025, when Musk first railed against an earlier version of Trump’s spending plan. He called it a “pork-filled” abomination, shaming Republicans who backed it. That public spat set the stage for his latest broadside, proving Musk isn’t afraid to bite the hand that once fed his influence.
The Senate’s bill limits tax credits for wind and solar projects kicking off before 2028, a move Musk says will cripple innovation.
The American Clean Power Association (ACP) echoed his concerns, warning the taxes could freeze energy investments and hike household bills. Senate Republicans, however, are racing to finalize the bill by July 4, 2025, undeterred by the backlash.
Jason Grumet, ACP CEO, didn’t hold back, labeling the Senate’s move “midnight dumping” of punitive taxes. “The Senate has proposed a tax hike targeting the fastest-growing sectors of our energy industry,” Grumet said on June 28. His statement paints a grim picture of stranded investments and weakened energy security, especially for rural communities.
Senate Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., pounced on the bill’s clean energy cuts.
Warren vowed to fight the nearly 1,000-page legislation “all night” on June 28, demanding a full reading to expose its flaws. Her resistance, while predictable, aligns with Musk’s warnings about economic fallout.
The bill’s supporters argue it streamlines federal spending and curbs excessive tax breaks. Yet, Musk’s claim that it obliterates jobs resonates with conservatives wary of overreach. The tension reveals a GOP split: loyalty to Trump versus pragmatic concerns about killing America’s renewable edge.
Grumet’s critique dug deeper, warning the bill could “undermine growth in domestic manufacturing.” He urged senators to scrap the last-minute tax hikes and study their impact. Such pleas highlight the stakes for industries banking on clean energy to drive jobs and innovation.
Republicans are hell-bent on delivering the bill to Trump’s desk by Independence Day. The rushed timeline, however, fuels accusations of sloppy lawmaking. Musk’s outspoken dissent amplifies the pressure, forcing senators to weigh political optics against policy substance.
Warren’s “all-night” stunt may slow the process, but it’s unlikely to derail the GOP’s momentum. Still, her call to arms underscores the bill’s divisive nature. Democrats see it as a giveaway to special interests, cloaked in populist rhetoric.
Musk’s earlier June 3 post shamed lawmakers, saying, “You know you did wrong.” That sentiment lingers, as conservatives grapple with a bill that could alienate voters who value economic growth. The tech mogul’s pivot from Trump insider to critic adds a layer of intrigue to the debate.
The ACP’s Grumet warned the bill could “drive up household energy bills” and hurt rural communities most. His data-driven argument clashes with the Senate’s push for quick wins. It’s a classic case of long-term vision versus short-term politics.
Musk’s dire predictions may overstate the bill’s impact, but they tap into real fears about America’s competitiveness. Taxing wind and solar while China and Europe double down on renewables could leave the U.S. in the dust. Conservatives who cheer deregulation might pause at this self-inflicted wound.
