WASHINGTON — A prominent alliance at the heart of U.S. political disruption is showing signs of strain as Elon Musk publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s marquee legislation, branding the “big beautiful bill” a “massive spending package” that undermines his government efficiency agenda.

Musk, who served as a senior adviser and backed Trump’s 2024 campaign with at least $250 million, said he was “disappointed” by the bill’s deficit implications.

In an interview aired Tuesday on CBS, he argued that the legislation contradicts the goals of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he led and envisioned as a driver of $1 trillion in federal cuts.

“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,” Musk said. “But I don’t know if it can be both.”

The bill — a blend of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement — passed the House and is now in the Senate.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates it will add $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit over a decade, offset only in part by $1 trillion in cuts to social programs.

President Trump defended the bill Wednesday, describing the negotiations as “delicate” but hinting that more adjustments may be made. “We’re going to see what happens,” he said.

Once a vocal supporter who praised Trump’s leadership, Musk is now distancing himself from politics and focusing again on Tesla and SpaceX.

He said he plans to scale back his political donations, noting that his efforts in Washington fell short of expectations.

“I thought there were problems, but it’s an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least,” he told The Washington Post.

Musk’s criticism has already been echoed by conservative lawmakers. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah vowed to make the Senate version “more aggressive,” while Rep. Warren Davidson pointed to Musk’s remarks in urging deeper deficit cuts.

With Speaker Mike Johnson warning against major changes that could destabilize House support, the Senate’s role in reshaping the bill remains crucial.

Final passage will hinge on delicate compromises — and Musk’s disapproval may now factor into that debate. — Agencies