Elon Musk Plans to Fund Primary Challenges Against Republicans Who Backed Trump’s Tax Bill

Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has officially thrown his weight into a new political battle, this time targeting the Republican lawmakers who voted for President Donald Trump’s controversial “big, beautiful bill” last week. The bill, which includes sweeping tax cuts, defense spending increases, and controversial provisions on immigration and government debt, passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support from GOP members, despite warnings from critics about its long-term economic consequences.

Musk’s opposition to the bill, however, is not only vocal—he is reportedly planning to financially support primary challenges against the Republicans who supported the legislation.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., one of the most vocal opponents of the bill within the GOP, publicly backed Musk’s plan to fund primary challengers against the 215 House Republicans who voted for the legislation. "I don't primary my colleagues, but I feel pretty good about him doing it," Massie said in an interview with Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

Massie, who voted against the bill, has consistently warned about the risks of increasing the national debt, which has now surpassed $37 trillion.

While Massie has been a longstanding critic of legislation that adds to the national debt, his comments regarding Musk’s support for primary challengers were significant. “People want term limits, right? Elon can bring term limits,” he added, reinforcing Musk's potential influence in the political sphere.

Musk, who has a massive following on social media and significant financial resources, could easily fund primary challenges against incumbent Republicans who voted for the bill. With his decision to engage politically, Musk’s influence over the direction of the GOP could dramatically increase, particularly given his opposition to the growing national debt.

Musk’s criticism of the bill was harsh and unequivocal. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk described the bill as a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled congressional spending bill,” labeling it a “disgusting abomination.” He went on to express his frustration with the lawmakers who voted for the bill, declaring, “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

This public rebuke signals a more aggressive stance from Musk, who has been increasingly critical of government spending and fiscal irresponsibility. He further emphasized his displeasure with a call to action: "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people."

Musk’s statement sparked an immediate response from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who took a rare and forceful stance against the billionaire. Johnson, a supporter of the bill, told reporters during his weekly press conference, "Elon and I left on a great note. We were texting one another, you know, happy texts, Monday, and then, and then yesterday, 24 hours later, he does a 180, and he comes out and opposed the bill."

Johnson expressed surprise at Musk’s reversal, calling the billionaire’s opposition to the bill “flat wrong.” Despite the tension, Johnson emphasized that he did not take it personally, but reiterated his disagreement with Musk’s position.

The Big Beautiful Bill—as Trump refers to the sweeping legislation—is intended to advance Trump’s priorities on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the debt limit. One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is its projected impact on the national debt.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has projected that the bill will add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade, a figure that has alarmed many fiscal conservatives like Musk and Massie. 

However, GOP leadership, including House Republicans who voted for the bill, have dismissed the CBO’s projections, arguing that economic growth spurred by the legislation will offset the increased deficit. This ongoing debate highlights a fundamental ideological divide within the Republican Party over fiscal policy and government spending.

Rep. Massie, who was one of the three Republicans who voted against the bill, is known for his consistent opposition to any legislation that could increase the federal debt. Along with Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., Massie stood firm against the bill, citing concerns about its long-term fiscal impact.

Massie’s resistance to the bill is not surprising given his history of clashes with both Trump and GOP leadership. In fact, Massie has been a prominent advocate for term limits and smaller government, frequently criticizing both parties for their willingness to pass legislation that increases the national deficit.

For Musk, the fiscal irresponsibility of the bill is personal. As the head of Tesla, Musk has long been an advocate for clean energy and sustainable technology, and the Big Beautiful Bill includes provisions that would roll back incentives for electric vehicles (EVs).

These subsidies have been vital for Tesla, enabling the company to offer more affordable EVs to consumers. The potential loss of these incentives would have a direct impact on Tesla’s bottom line, further fueling Musk’s anger toward the legislation.

In his posts, Musk was also critical of the bill’s provisions on defense spending and immigration. He expressed frustration that the bill would divert funds away from clean energy programs and exacerbate the country’s already dire financial situation.

With this in mind, Musk’s involvement in the political process is seen as a response to the perceived failures of the current political system. Musk’s social media platform, X, gives him a direct line to millions of Americans, and his ability to influence public opinion could prove to be a game-changer in the coming elections.

In addition to his call for primary challenges, Musk has also signaled his intention to use his wealth to shape the political landscape. His ability to fund candidates who align with his fiscal beliefs could reshape the GOP, particularly if those candidates are successful in ousting incumbents who have supported policies Musk views as damaging to the country’s financial future.

With his vast resources and platform, Musk’s involvement in politics is becoming more pronounced, signaling a new era of billionaire influence in American politics.

The Big Beautiful Bill is now in the Senate, where Republican leaders are already signaling their intent to amend the legislation before it is sent to Trump for approval. Some GOP members, particularly fiscal conservatives, are calling for further reductions in government spending to offset the projected increases in the national debt.

The bill’s passage will likely be a defining moment for the Republican Party, as it will test the party’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and its ability to balance Trump’s populist agenda with concerns about government spending.

In the meantime, Musk’s actions will likely continue to draw attention. His call for primary challenges against Republicans who supported the bill will serve as a rallying cry for those who believe that fiscal conservatism should be a cornerstone of the GOP. Whether Musk’s influence will lead to significant political consequences remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his presence in the political arena is no longer limited to the realm of technology and business.

Musk has entered the political fray with a mission to reshape America’s financial future, and his next steps could have profound implications for the Republican Party and the broader political landscape.