Trump Defends Signature Policy Bill After Musk Criticism

Topline

President Donald Trump defended his signature policy bill after Elon Musk criticized it for undermining the government cuts he spearheaded, with Trump telling reporters Wednesday his reaction to Musk’s comments is “a lot of things,” while acknowledging the bill will undergo modifications in the Senate.

President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. … More Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House on May 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

Trump, when asked during an unrelated press conference Wednesday about Musk’s comments, told reporters “I’m not happy about certain aspects” of the policy bill, but said he is “thrilled” by others, specifically tax cuts.

“We will be negotiating that bill,” Trump said, acknowledging the legislation will likely be modified in the Senate.

Trump made the comments after Musk told CBS in an interview excerpt aired Tuesday he was “disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit,” adding it “undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which narrowly passed the House last week after last-minute adjustments to appease Republican holdouts, would add about $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit by extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, among other measures including increased border security.

The legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate, however, as multiple Republican senators have expressed concerns about various aspects, including the price tag and Medicaid cuts, and the bill can afford to lose only three GOP votes assuming all Democrats vote against it.

Crucial Quote

“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion,” Musk told CBS.

What To Watch For

CBS will air the full Musk interview on the “CBS Sunday Morning” show this week.

Tangent

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in a Wednesday post on X praised Musk’s work at the Department of Government Efficiency, saying the “House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings” via legislation known as a “rescissions package” to codify the cuts or through the 2026 budget process.

Key Background

Musk’s comments come as he has taken a step back from his government role in recent weeks and has expressed plans to refocus his energies on his companies, following a whirlwind stint in Washington where he deployed a slash-and-burn approach to government spending cuts. He spearheaded layoffs of tens of thousands of government workers, many of whom have been ordered rehired by the courts. Musk was the biggest donor to Trump during the 2024 election cycle, giving $250 million to him and his affiliated committees. A fixture at Trump’s side during the first several months of his second term, Musk said earlier this month he is “going to do a lot less” political spending in the future, adding “I think I’ve done enough.”