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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
What Elon Musk said in criticism of Trump administration's 'One Big Beautiful Bill', that many claim behind his abrupt exit
Elon Musk , the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, publicly criticized President Donald Trump's flagship bill, the " One Big Beautiful Bill ," during an interview with CBS News . The legislation, a sprawling tax reform and spending package said to be central to Trump's second-term agenda, has been touted by the administration as a transformative economic stimulus. However, Musk warned that the bill's massive cost would balloon the national deficit, directly contradicting claims of fiscal responsibility. When Elon Musk expressed disappointment with 'Big Beautiful bill' The interview, conducted amid CBS's ongoing legal dispute with Trump over alleged defamation, saw Musk express frustration with the bill's impact on fiscal policy. 'I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just fails to decrease it,' Musk said. He specifically highlighted its conflict with the objectives of the U.S. DOGE Service , a federal initiative he has advised, aimed at reducing government waste and improving efficiency. 'I think a vote can be big, or it could be beautiful. I don't know if it could be both,' Musk quipped, taking a pointed jab at the bill's grandiose branding. Only a brief clip of the interview was released on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, with the full segment scheduled to air on Sunday, June 1, 2025, on CBS's Face the Nation. The timing of Musk's remarks has drawn attention, as they coincide with his abrupt departure from an advisory role with the Trump administration , announced just a day after the clip's release. Elon Musk's criticism of 'Big Beautiful Bill' said to be a reason behind the abrupt exit by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bolsas nos olhos? (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista Saúde & Beleza Saiba Mais Undo According to a source familiar with the matter, Musk's exit was decided 'at a senior staff level' without a formal discussion with President Trump. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the departure as swift and unceremonious, with no public explanation from Musk or the White House. While the exact reasons for his exit remain unclear, Musk's outspoken criticism of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' appears to have played a significant role. In the interview, he called the legislation 'too expensive' and argued it undermined the DOGE Service's mission to streamline federal spending and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. What is 'One Big Beautiful Bill' The 'One Big Beautiful Bill', passed by Congress in early 2025, combines significant tax cuts for corporations and high-income earners with increased infrastructure and defense spending. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated in April 2025 that the bill would add approximately $2.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade, a figure that has sparked debate among economists and policymakers. Supporters argue it will spur economic growth, while critics, including Musk, warn of long-term fiscal consequences. Musk's comments add to the growing tension between the tech mogul and the Trump administration. Previously a vocal supporter of certain Trump policies, Musk has increasingly distanced himself from the president's economic agenda. His role with the U.S. DOGE Service, established in 2025 to identify and eliminate wasteful government programs, positioned him as a key figure in Trump's push for government reform. However, Musk's critique suggests a deepening rift over priorities, particularly on fiscal discipline. The CBS interview also touched on Musk's broader vision for government efficiency, with the billionaire emphasizing the need for data-driven decision-making and reduced bureaucracy. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Elon Musk Leaving Trump Administration, Capping Turbulent Tenure
Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading a tumultuous efficiency drive, during which he upended several federal agencies but ultimately failed to deliver the generational savings he had sought. His "off-boarding will begin tonight," a White House official told Reuters late Wednesday, confirming Musk's departure from government. Musk earlier on Wednesday took to his social media platform X to thank President Donald Trump as his time as a special government employee with the Department of Government Efficiency draws to an end. His departure was quick and unceremonious. He did not have a formal conversation with Trump before announcing his exit, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, who added that his departure was decided "at a senior staff level." While the precise circumstances of his exit were not immediately clear, he leaves a day after criticizing Trump's marquee tax bill, calling it too expensive and a measure that would undermine his work with the US DOGE Service. Some senior White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, were particularly irked by those comments, and the White House was forced to call Republican senators to reiterate Trump's support for the package, a source familiar with the matter said. While Musk remains close to the president, his exit comes after a gradual, but steady slide in standing. After Trump's inauguration, the billionaire quickly emerged as a powerful force in Trump's orbit: hyper-visible, unapologetically brash and unfettered by traditional norms. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, he brandished a red metallic chainsaw to wild cheers. "This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy," he declared. On the campaign trail, Musk had said DOGE would be able to cut at least $2 trillion in federal spending. DOGE currently estimates its efforts have saved $175 billion so far, a number Reuters was not able to independently verify. Musk did not hide his animus for the federal workforce, and he predicted that revoking "the COVID-era privilege" of telework would trigger "a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome." But some cabinet members who initially embraced Musk's outsider energy grew wary of his tactics, sources said. Over time, they grew more confident pushing back against his job cuts, encouraged by Trump's reminder in early March that staffing decisions rested with department secretaries, not with Musk. Musk clashed with three of Trump's most senior cabinet members - Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He called Trump's trade adviser Peter Navarro a "moron" and "dumber than a sack of bricks." Navarro dismissed the insults, saying, "I've been called worse." At the same time, Musk began to hint that his time in government would come to a close, while expressing frustration at times that he could not more aggressively cut spending. In an April 22 Tesla conference call, he signaled he would be significantly scaling back his government work to focus on his businesses. "The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized," Musk told The Washington Post this week. "I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least." DOGE GOES ON Musk's 130-day mandate as a special government employee in the Trump administration was set to expire around May 30. The administration has said DOGE's efforts to restructure and shrink the federal government will continue. Several cabinet secretaries are already discussing with the White House how to proceed without further alienating Congressional Republicans. But even as department heads will keep some DOGE infrastructure in place, they will likely move to reassert control over budgets and staffing, sources have told Reuters. "The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk said. Trump and DOGE have managed to cut nearly 12%, or 260,000, of the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce largely through threats of firings, buyouts and early retirement offers, a Reuters review of agency departures found. At the same time, DOGE has hit a number of roadblocks, with federal courts at times propping back up agencies shortly after DOGE had moved to eliminate them. In some cases, staff and funding cuts have led to purchasing bottlenecks, increased costs and a brain drain of scientific and technological talent. The most recent source of friction came on Tuesday when Musk criticized the price tag of Republicans' tax and budget legislation making its way through Congress. "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk told CBS News. One source said the billionaire's decision to trash Trump's bill on television deeply upset senior White House aides. His political activities have drawn protests and some investors have called for him to leave his work as Trump's adviser and more closely manage Tesla, which has seen falls in sales and its stock price. Musk, the world's richest person, has defended his role as an unelected official who was granted unprecedented authority by Trump to dismantle parts of the US government. Having spent nearly $300 million to back Trump's presidential campaign and other Republicans last year, he said earlier this month he would substantially cut his political spending. "I think I've done enough," Musk said at an economic forum in Qatar.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Elon Musk leaving Trump administration, capping turbulent tenure
WASHINGTON - Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading a tumultuous efficiency drive, during which he upended several federal agencies, but ultimately failed to deliver the generational savings he had sought. His "off-boarding will begin tonight," a White House official told Reuters late Wednesday, confirming Musk's departure from government. Musk earlier on Wednesday took to his social media platform X to thank President Donald Trump as his time as a special government employee with the Department of Government Efficiency draws to an end. His departure was quick and unceremonious. He did not have a formal conversation with Trump before announcing his exit, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, who added that his departure was decided "at a senior staff level." While the precise circumstances of his exit were not immediately clear, he leaves a day after criticizing Trump's marquee tax bill, calling it too expensive and a measure that would undermine his work with the U.S. DOGE Service. Some senior White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, were particularly irked by those comments, and the White House was forced to call Republican senators to reiterate Trump's support for the package, a source familiar with the matter said. While Musk remains close to the president, his exit comes after a gradual, but steady slide in standing. After Trump's inauguration, the billionaire quickly emerged as a powerful force in Trump's orbit: hyper-visible, unapologetically brash and unfettered by traditional norms. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, he brandished a red metallic chainsaw to wild cheers. "This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy," he declared. On the campaign trail, Musk had said DOGE would be able to cut at least $2 trillion in federal spending. He did not hide his animus for the federal workforce, and he predicted that revoking "the COVID-era privilege" of telework would trigger "a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome." But some cabinet members who initially embraced Musk's outsider energy grew wary of his tactics, sources said. Over time, they grew more confident pushing back against his job cuts, encouraged by Trump's reminder in early March that staffing decisions rested with department secretaries, not with Musk. Musk clashed with three of Trump's most senior cabinet members - Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He called Trump's trade adviser Peter Navarro a "moron" and "dumber than a sack of bricks." Navarro dismissed the insults, saying, "I've been called worse." At the same time, Musk began to hint that his time in government would come to a close, while expressing frustration at times that he could not more aggressively cut spending. In an April 22 Tesla conference call, he signaled he would be significantly scaling back his government work to focus on his businesses. DOGE GOES ON Musk's 130-day mandate as a special government employee in the Trump administration was set to expire around May 30. The administration has said DOGE's efforts to restructure and shrink the federal government will continue. "The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk said. Trump and DOGE have managed to cut nearly 12%, or 260,000, of the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce largely through threats of firings, buyouts and early retirement offers, a Reuters review of agency departures found. Musk on Tuesday criticized the price tag of Republicans' tax and budget legislation making its way through Congress. "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk told CBS News. His political activities have drawn protests and some investors have called for him to leave his work as Trump's adviser and more closely manage Tesla, which has seen falls in sales and its stock price. Musk, the world's richest person, has defended his role as an unelected official who was granted unprecedented authority by Trump to dismantle parts of the U.S. government. Having spent nearly $300 million to back Trump's presidential campaign and other Republicans last year, he said earlier this month he would substantially cut his political spending. "I think I've done enough," Musk said at an economic forum in Qatar. (Reporting by Nandita Bose, David Shepardson and Kanjyik Ghosh; Editing by Chris Sanders and Stephen Coates)
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Elon Musk is leaving his role in the Trump administration
Elon Musk, a key adviser to President Donald Trump who oversaw the U.S. DOGE Service, said Wednesday that he is leaving the administration after leading a contentious effort to reshape the federal bureaucracy and slash government spending. Musk wrote on his social media platform, X, that his 'scheduled time' as a special government employee had come to an end.
Washington Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
GOP wants federal workers to retire while making it harder to plan
The most significant forks in our lives demand careful deliberation, not hurried action under pressure. Yet a disturbing situation is unfolding within the federal workforce, orchestrated by the Trump administration and the U.S. DOGE Service. Thousands of civil service workers are cornered, compelled to make profound career and financial decisions within problematic time frames. The abrupt edicts to shrink the federal ranks, executed with scant regard for the human impact, has left dedicated employees facing a stark choice: stay and possibly be fired vs. resign or accept retirement, often prematurely.
