House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington responded strongly after Elon Musk called the Trump tax bill “pork-filled.” Musk had posted on X (formerly Twitter) criticizing the bill, saying it was full of unnecessary spending.
But Arrington, a Texas Republican, pushed back, saying Musk was wrong and that the bill is actually focused on tax relief and economic growth.
Arrington said there’s “no pork in this bill,” meaning no wasteful or unrelated spending. He explained that the bill aims to extend key parts of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, especially for small businesses and working-class families. He also said that all the tax cuts in the bill are fully paid for, so they won’t add to the national debt.
The Trump-era tax cuts, which are set to expire in 2025, lowered individual and business taxes. The new bill proposes to make some of these cuts permanent, especially for families and small businesses. Arrington believes this will help grow the economy, create jobs, and give relief to working Americans.
Elon Musk’s criticism came after reports suggested the bill includes tax breaks for special interest groups. But Arrington said that’s not true.
He clarified that the bill is narrowly focused and avoids unnecessary add-ons or benefits for political favorites. He said the goal is to support economic freedom, not to reward powerful lobbies.
Arrington also highlighted that the bill was drafted with support from Republicans on both the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. He said the process was transparent and focused on delivering results for everyday Americans.
The Trump tax cuts have been a key talking point for Republicans heading into the 2024 elections. Many see them as a major achievement of the Trump presidency.
Democrats, on the other hand, have criticized the cuts for favoring the wealthy and increasing the deficit. But Arrington argued that continuing these tax cuts will benefit small businesses, which are the backbone of the American economy.
In the end, Arrington said Musk is entitled to his opinion, but he’s wrong on the facts. He invited Musk to look at the bill closely and see that it’s about pro-growth policies, not pork. The House Budget Committee plans to continue pushing the bill forward as part of the broader Republican economic agenda.