A livid Stephen Miller fired back against Elon Musk’s criticisms of Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” without mentioning the billionaire by name.
The top White House aide’s voice gradually rose as he touted the sprawling piece of legislation, which Musk has repudiated, in a Fox Business interview Friday.
The interview comes as rumors of a personal spat between Miller and Musk continue to swirl. On his way out the door of the White House, Musk took Miller’s wife with him. Katie Miller, who had been a top aide at Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, left her post—and her husband’s side—to continue working for the tech billionaire.
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“Tax cuts and reforms. American energy independence. Full, complete, permanent border security and the largest welfare reform in American history,” Miller wailed. “That’s not pork. That’s not waste. That’s not new spending. That is the most conservative piece of legislation in my lifetime.”
Miller’s comments were a direct rebuke of Musk—who has described the bill as “pork-filled” and a “disgusting abomination.” The SpaceX founder’s criticisms have erupted into a messy break-up with Trump, with the two heavyweights exchanging a series of blows on social media.
“There’s this myth out there that we could do the DOGE cuts in this bill,” Miller said, addressing a criticism posed by supporters of the formerly Musk-led group where his wife worked. “But that’s a separate process.”
Miller never mentioned Musk by name, but host Larry Kudlow—a Trump ally—made the connection for him.
“I don’t think Elon understood that,” Kudlow said, referring to the nuances of legislation. “I don’t want to get into all that stuff... He’s got $180 billion up on his website, okay. And God bless him for that. He’s been helpful on that, that’s terrific thing.”
Miller smirked but said nothing.
Musk became close with the Millers during his stint in government. The Wall Street Journal reported that Katie Miller was with Musk “all the time” before following him out the door. Musk reportedly spent time with the couple even outside of work.
The relationship between Musk and his underling’s husband has deteriorated.
“The only ‘new’ spending in the bill is to defend the homeland and deport the illegals—paid for by raising visa fees,” Miller wrote on X this week in another dig at Musk. “All the other provisions? Massive spending cuts. There is no ‘pork’ in the bill. Just campaign promises.”
Musk unfollowed Miller on X shortly after.
