Johnson and Thune Fire Back at Musk’s Brutal Attack

Elon Musk’s outspoken criticism of the Republican-backed “big, beautiful bill” has ignited significant tensions within Congress, with top Republicans pushing back against the tech mogul’s remarks.

Musk, a major figure in the tech industry and a former cost-cutter in the Trump administration, has repeatedly slammed the legislation, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and accusing lawmakers of failing to address what he deems as “massive deficit spending.”

His comments have raised concerns among GOP leaders, leading to a heated exchange between Musk and key figures in both the House and Senate, as well as President Trump’s inner circle.

Musk’s criticism comes at a crucial time as the bill, which passed through the House last month, faces its next challenge in the Senate. The “big, beautiful bill,” which aims to address a variety of fiscal policies, including a massive increase in the debt ceiling, has drawn the ire of Musk, who has taken to social media to voice his disapproval.

The bill proposes a $4 trillion increase in the borrowing limit, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will result in an additional $2.4 trillion in deficits over the next decade.

Musk’s remarks, particularly his call for lawmakers to be ousted if they support the bill, have placed pressure on Republican leaders, who are already facing challenges in securing enough votes to pass the legislation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, one of the bill’s staunch supporters, spent several minutes during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday pushing back against Musk’s criticisms.

Johnson, according to sources familiar with the meeting, tried to reassure fellow Republicans by emphasizing the complexity of the legislative process and urging them not to take Musk’s words personally. 

He acknowledged that differences of opinion are inevitable, but stressed the importance of staying united as a party in support of the bill. Johnson also revealed that he had attempted to contact Musk directly in an effort to explain the reasoning behind the bill and its necessity for the GOP’s agenda.

“I think he’s flat wrong, and I’ve told him as much,” Johnson said after the meeting. “This is a complex process, and we can’t just scrap the bill and start over.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune also weighed in on the controversy, downplaying the impact of Musk’s criticism on the vote count in the Senate. Thune acknowledged that Musk has significant influence on social media, but emphasized that the GOP could afford only three defections in the Senate.

He expressed confidence that most Republican senators would ultimately support the bill, noting that the alternative to passing the legislation is far worse. According to Thune, the key question for Republican lawmakers will be whether they are willing to support a bill that addresses fiscal concerns or risk facing a much worse situation.

“The alternative isn’t a good one,” Thune remarked. “There are going to be a lot of people who share commentary about this, but at the end of the day, we just have to make sure we’re getting our arguments out there and explaining why this bill is necessary.”

Musk’s attack on the bill comes amid growing frustration with the government’s handling of deficit spending. In a series of social media posts, Musk railed against the legislation, accusing lawmakers of exacerbating the national debt and failing to address the real fiscal challenges facing the country.

He specifically pointed to the increase in the debt ceiling, which Musk claims will only serve to increase the nation’s borrowing capacity without doing enough to reduce long-term deficits.

The “big, beautiful bill” includes a significant provision to raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion, which Musk believes will have disastrous consequences for the economy. His criticisms have focused on the bill’s potential to increase the national debt and the deficit, which he believes are unsustainable.

In one of his posts, Musk stated that a new spending bill should be drafted that does not massively grow the deficit or increase the debt ceiling by such a large amount.

While Musk’s comments have made waves in political circles, many Republican leaders are brushing off his criticisms as part of a normal debate over policy. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise downplayed the potential impact of Musk’s comments, emphasizing that the GOP is seeing fundraising success ahead of the 2024 elections.

Scalise pointed to the continued exceeding of fundraising goals as evidence of the party’s strength and unity, despite Musk’s vocal opposition to the bill. He also noted that President Trump’s support for the GOP remains strong, with the former president helping to rally support for the party’s legislative agenda.

“We’re continuing to exceed fundraising goals, and people know what’s at stake next year,” Scalise said. “President Trump’s been our best, most effective deliverer of support.”

Musk’s public attack on the legislation has not only stirred tensions within the GOP but has also created a divide between him and his former allies in the Trump administration. Although Trump has not directly commented on Musk’s criticism, it is clear that the former president is not pleased with the billionaire’s remarks.

Johnson, in a private meeting with GOP members, acknowledged that Trump was “not delighted” by Musk’s decision to criticize the centerpiece of his legislative agenda. This divide between Musk and Trump’s camp raises questions about the future of their relationship, as Musk’s influence within the GOP appears to be waning.

The controversy over the megabill comes on the heels of another public dispute between Musk and the White House, which has further strained his relationship with Trump’s administration.

Musk’s frustrations with the political process, particularly with the handling of fiscal issues like deficit spending and the national debt, have made him a vocal critic of both the GOP and the White House. His comments suggest that he may be charting a more independent political course, one that is less aligned with the interests of Trump and his allies.

Despite the tensions, some Trump allies believe that Musk’s criticism is not necessarily a permanent break with the former president. They argue that Musk remains an influential figure in the Republican Party, particularly on issues related to technology, free speech, and economic growth.

Musk’s support for Trump’s re-election campaign in 2024 is also seen as an indication that the two men may continue to work together, despite their differences on certain policies.

In conclusion, Elon Musk’s criticisms of the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill” have created a storm of controversy in Washington, highlighting the growing divide between the billionaire tech mogul and the Trump administration.

As the legislation moves forward in Congress, Republican leaders are working to quell the fallout from Musk’s public remarks and maintain party unity. However, Musk’s vocal opposition to the bill, particularly his concerns over deficit spending and the national debt, raises important questions about the future of fiscal policy in the United States and Musk’s role in shaping that debate.

While some view Musk’s criticisms as part of a larger political strategy, it is clear that his relationship with the Trump administration is becoming more complicated by the day, and the implications of this rift are still unfolding.