As Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s relationship devolved into heated threats and bombshell accusations, the tech billionaire lobbed an incendiary claim that without him, Trump would not be president and Republicans would not control the House.
But while Republicans rapidly tried to de-escalate the situation, they have been quick to make clear that it’s MAGA, not Musk, where their allegiance lies.
Musk has pushed for Congress to “kill the bill,” but it does not appear to be shifting the dynamic in Washington.
Republicans remain confident in their ability to get Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” across the finish line.
Those who had issues with the legislation did so before Musk went nuclear Thursday, and the bill continues its slow progression through the Senate.
One Republican strategist even suggested Musk’s attacks on the president could temper criticism among Senate Republicans who have taken issue with the legislation because they don’t want to be seen as siding with the billionaire.
The bill aside, GOP lawmakers made clear they’re behind the president over the world’s richest man as insults flew despite his massive microphone on X and loads of cash. Anyone thinking there would be an overall shift in the GOP loyalty to Trump was bound for disappointment.
Republicans have largely avoided insulting Musk directly and have touted DOGE efforts, but they were quick to dismiss any concerns about how the feud could impact next year’s midterms despite Musk’s threats.
Rep. Chip Roy said the breakdown did not concern him. Rep. Tim Burchett said the billionaire’s attacks on the president undermine Musk. Others called it predictable and inevitable.
“House Republicans have long dealt with ideological and personality divides, and the dynamic remains unchanged,” said Mark Bednar, a former House Republican leadership aide.
The House bill that Speaker Mike Johnson pushed through is the target of Musk’s attacks, so his siding with the president is not a surprise, but Johnson staked GOP victories on Trump Friday and continues to project optimism that the spending bill will pass by the 4th of July.
Johnson said Musk was a big contributor in the last election but argued it was a whole team effort in Republicans holding the majority last November.
“President Trump is the most consequential figure of his generation, of modern American history. He is the one responsible for that,” Johnson told CNBC in response to Musk’s claim about the GOP majority. “But we all worked hard. We delivered the House majority.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was quick to voice her backing of the president as the feud escalated, even as she has now voiced criticism of the “big, beautiful bill.”
“Just to be clear, I voted for Donald J Trump on Nov 4, 2024. Not anyone else. I voted for Trump. I voted for Trump’s agenda,” she wrote on X.
She did not mention Musk by name but continued her pro-Trump and MAGA posts on Friday.
