In a stunning turn of events, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced early Thursday that his companies will actively bid on infrastructure projects funded by President Trump’s newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill”—a $1.2 trillion package aimed at overhauling America’s roads, bridges, rail lines and broadband network. Musk’s unexpected embrace of the landmark legislation comes just hours after Congress gave final approval, signaling a rare alignment between the tech mogul and the Trump administration.
@Reuters “Elon Musk vows SpaceX will compete for infrastructure contracts under Trump’s $1.2T ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’” Read the report
According to Reuters, the legislation—which allocates $550 billion for new projects and $650 billion for maintenance and modernization—cleared Congress in a bipartisan 68–32 Senate vote and a 318–217 House tally late Wednesday. The bill’s nickname, “Big Beautiful Bill,” was coined by Trump during his State of the Union address, where he urged lawmakers to “build the infrastructure of tomorrow, right here in America.”
Within minutes of the presidential signature, Musk took to X to declare: “SpaceX’s Starlink broadband will bid on every rural internet contract. Tesla will explore EV-charging corridors along the new highways. Let’s make America connected, fast & green.” His post sparked a flurry of reaction across social media.
@elonmusk “Starlink will bid on rural broadband contracts. Tesla will electrify new corridors. Proud to help build the Big Beautiful America.” Elon Musk’s announcement
CNN’s analysis notes that Musk’s move marks a departure from his previous criticisms of government spending. “Just last year, Musk called federal projects ‘inefficient’ and warned against overreliance on subsidies,” writes senior correspondent Jill Colvin. “Today, he’s courting the very funding streams he decried.”
@CNNPolitics “Musk U-turn? CEO embraces infrastructure bill after months of government skepticism.” See Megan’s report
Politico’s coverage points out that Starlink—the satellite-based internet service—has struggled to meet growth targets in rural America. With $65 billion earmarked for last-mile broadband grants, Musk’s bid could reshape service in underserved communities. “It’s a masterstroke,” one telecom analyst told Politico, “leveraging public dollars to expand a global network.”
Senators from both sides of the aisle were quick to respond. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–NY) tweeted his approval: “Glad to see the private sector stepping up! Funding for rural broadband was a top priority in the Big Beautiful Bill.”
@SenSchumer “Public-private partnerships like this will drive real change across America.” Leader’s reaction
Meanwhile,Sen. Ted Cruz (R–TX), a vocal critic of corporate welfare, offered cautious praise: “If SpaceX and Tesla deliver on their promises without hollow gimmicks, this could be a win for taxpayers. We’ll be watching.” Cruz’s office confirms he’s drafting amendments for contract oversight to ensure transparency.
The White House hailed Musk’s support as proof of the bill’s broad appeal. In a statement, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted, “When leaders like Elon Musk publicly commit to these projects, it demonstrates the transformative power of bipartisan cooperation.” The President retweeted Musk’s announcement, adding: “Now that’s what I call building American greatness!”
@WhiteHouse “Public-private collaboration is key to delivering on the promise of the Big Beautiful Bill.” Official briefing
Financial markets reacted favorably: Tesla shares rose 2.8% in Thursday trading, while SpaceX was reported to be exploring a secondary stock offering to fund its broadband expansion. The Bloomberg Markets dashboard showed the Nasdaq Composite up 0.9%, buoyed by gains in tech and industrial stocks.
@BloombergMarkets “Tech stocks rally as Musk’s bid on infrastructure bill paves way for new revenue streams.” Market reaction
Industry experts caution, however, that Musk faces logistical hurdles. Building out thousands of EV chargers and installing Starlink ground stations will require coordination with state agencies and utilities. The Department of Transportation is expected to issue draft guidance on competitive bidding within the next 30 days, according to a senior DOT official speaking to The New York Times.
Consumer advocates are also weighing in. The Communications Workers of America union issued a statement urging regulators to include labor-safety provisions in contract awards, warning that rapid build-outs can lead to worker injuries and service outages if corners are cut.
@CWAUnion “We support expanding broadband & EV charging—but jobs must be safe, and workers must be protected.” Union safety tweet
Environmental groups, meanwhile, are pressing Musk to ensure that new EV corridors use renewable energy sources. The Sierra Club’s director for clean energy, Aaron Weiss, told The Guardian that “this opportunity must accelerate our zero-carbon transition; otherwise, we risk locking in fossil-fuel dependence for decades.”
As Elon Musk pivots from critic to champion of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” Washington braces for the next chapter: rulemaking, bidding, and building. If Musk’s pledge holds, Americans could see gleaming new highways lined with Tesla Superchargers and high-speed internet beamed from space—a transformation worthy of the legislation’s grand name.
