Elon Musk Turns on Trump Over Debt Bill, Sparking GOP Civil War

A rare and sharp divide has emerged at the top of American politics, as Elon Musk publicly breaks ranks with former ally President Donald Trump over the administration’s flagship tax and spending bill. The split has left the Republican Party teetering on the edge of internal chaos — and may jeopardize one of Trump’s biggest legislative ambitions.

The Breakdown

Musk, who recently exited his role as a special advisor to the Trump administration after a 130-day stint, has openly denounced what the White House calls the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The sweeping proposal combines broad tax cuts with new spending and borrowing, and aims to be Trump’s defining economic reform of his second term.

But Musk has a different name for it: “Slavery for the next generation.”

The proposed bill would slash taxes across multiple brackets but also add an estimated $5 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade. According to Musk, that trade-off is unacceptable. “We already spend 25% of national income on interest,” he posted online. “This bill accelerates collapse.”

A Sudden Shift

Musk had previously supported much of Trump’s economic agenda. That changed after the administration reportedly rejected his preferred NASA nominee and moved to scale back electric vehicle subsidies — a direct hit to Musk’s business interests.

Now, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO is working with Senator Rand Paul and other fiscal conservatives to block the bill in the Senate. Trump needs 51 votes. Current estimates suggest he has 49.

Trump has expressed disbelief at Musk’s turn, calling the billionaire ungrateful and politically opportunistic. “He saw every version of the bill. He helped draft it. Now he’s playing games,” the president said in a statement.

Musk’s Counteroffensive

In response, Musk claimed he never saw the final bill before it was filed. He now proposes that any senator be automatically removed from office if the national deficit exceeds 3% of GDP.

His proposal has no legislative backing — but it’s gaining attention among populist factions and younger voters online.

The GOP’s Silent Panic

Inside the Republican establishment, the mood is tense. Fox News has offered little coverage of the feud, but pro-Trump media voices like Steve Bannon have accused Musk of sabotaging the party from within.

With a self-imposed July 4 deadline for the bill’s passage looming, the White House is pushing for unity. Instead, it faces one of the sharpest internal splits since the Tea Party era.

What’s at Stake

If the bill fails, Trump’s second-term economic platform may lose momentum. Markets could react to the uncertainty, and the Republican Party risks entering the 2026 midterms divided.

More broadly, the clash between Trump and Musk reflects deeper tensions in the conservative movement — between traditional populism and a growing faction pushing for fiscal restraint, even if it means defying party leadership.

For now, two of the most powerful figures in American politics are locked in a high-stakes standoff — and neither appears ready to blink.