Washington [US], June 30 (ANI): Tech billionaire Elon Musk launched a scathing critique of President Donald Trump’s proposed Senate legislation, labeling it “political suicide for the Republican Party” and “utterly insane and destructive,” The Hill reported.
“Polls show that this bill is political suicide for the Republican Party,” Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. In another post, he warned, “It will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!”
Musk, who has previously denounced the legislation as a “disgusting abomination,” doubled down on his criticism. In early June, he wrote, “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it,” according to The Hill.
Despite rising conservative opposition, the Senate narrowly advanced the sweeping 1,000-page bill Saturday night. The legislation seeks to codify Trump’s domestic policy agenda. Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) were among those who opposed the measure—Paul objected to a $5 trillion debt ceiling increase, while Tillis expressed concerns the bill would cost North Carolina $38.9 billion in Medicaid funding.
Musk’s public feud with Trump has intensified in recent months. Following his departure from the Trump administration, Musk called for the former president’s impeachment and accused him of ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Meanwhile, Trump is pushing Senate Republicans to override the Senate Parliamentarian’s recent ruling that struck down key Medicaid provisions from the bill. On Truth Social, Trump endorsed Rep. Greg Steube’s (R-Fla.) call to bypass the Parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, calling her “an unelected Senate Staffer” and writing, “Great, Congressman Greg Steube is 100% correct… Wants many fantastic things out. NO! DJT.”
MacDonough, appointed in 2012, is the first woman to serve as Senate Parliamentarian and is responsible for interpreting reconciliation rules that allow budget-related bills to pass with a simple majority.
According to The Hill, GOP hardliners are intensifying efforts to challenge her authority, with Steube arguing, “The Senate Parliamentarian is not elected. She is not accountable to the American people. Yet she holds veto power over legislation supported by millions of voters.”
Overturning her ruling would require a presiding senator to issue a contradictory decision, which must then be backed by at least 51 votes. This maneuver would allow Republicans to bypass traditional reconciliation rules.
Senate Democrats are also pressing Republicans to consult with the Parliamentarian on whether making Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent would violate reconciliation rules due to their projected impact on future federal deficits. They argue that Republicans have so far refused to engage in those discussions.
The procedural standoff could significantly alter the bill’s trajectory. Democrats are reportedly considering a formal floor challenge to the tax cut extension when the Senate reconvenes Monday.
Despite making some changes to address the Parliamentarian’s concerns, the bill remains contentious, with internal Republican divisions and vocal opposition from influential figures like Musk casting uncertainty over its future.
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