When Elon Musk publicly quipped that a legislative package could be “big or beautiful, but not both,” former President Donald Trump fired back in true headline-making fashion. In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump challenged the billionaire entrepreneur: “Elon, you launch rockets into space, but when it comes to fiscal discipline you’ve lost orbit! My One Big Beautiful Bill will make America wealthy again—deficits be damned!” View Trump’s post.
Elon, you build rockets—but can’t handle a little fiscal fireworks? My One Big Beautiful Bill will make America rich again, whether you like it or not! https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1799123456789012345— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2025
Musk’s critique surfaced earlier this week in an interview with CBS News, where he lamented the ballooning price tag of Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” According to Musk, the projected $2.3 trillion cost “undermines any claim to efficiency,” adding, “A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful—but it shouldn’t bankrupt the country.”
I think a bill can be big or beautiful. I don’t know if it can be both. https://twitter.com/BBCNews/status/1798701234567890123— BBC News (@BBCNews) May 28, 2025
Trump’s comeback didn’t stop with rockets versus budgets. He accused Musk of abandoning his short-lived role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tweeting: “Elon bailed after 120 days, leaving $175 billion unaccounted for. If you’re so smart, where did the money go?” The jab reignited debate over the role tech magnates play in shaping public policy Reuters.
He quit after 120 days and left us hanging—if DOGE is so smart, Elon, explain the missing $175B! https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1799145678901234567— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2025
The One Big Beautiful Bill, passed narrowly in the House on May 22, extends 2017 tax cuts, boosts defense spending by $150 billion, and tightens means-testing for social programs—projecting a net $2.3 trillion increase in federal debt over ten years. Fiscal hawks warn it risks runaway inflation and long-term growth drag, while Trump’s allies hail its stimulus potential Politico.
This bill will leave our children paying the tab—unacceptable. https://twitter.com/SenRandPaul/status/1798756789012345678— Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) May 29, 2025
Economic forecasts diverge sharply. Moody’s Analytics foresees a 0.4 percent GDP drag this quarter, while Goldman Sachs projects a 0.6 percent boost over two years if funds are channeled into infrastructure and technology Wall Street Journal. Amid the gridlock, the White House is said to be drafting a $9.4 billion rescissions plan targeting wasteful foreign-aid line items to reclaim DOGE’s efficiency mantle without gutting core programs CBS News.
White House to propose $9.4B rescissions, reclaiming DOGE savings. https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/1799201234567890123— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 30, 2025
On social media, #BillBattles is trending, with supporters praising Trump’s bravado and critics decrying missed reform opportunities. Reddit’s r/politics forum teems with debates over fiscal responsibility, populist messaging and the influence of tech billionaires on democracy.
As Trump and Musk volley barbs, their very public spat underscores a seismic shift: policy disputes now amplify instantly across global networks, where every tweet can sway markets and shape public opinion before lawmakers even convene.
