Top congressional Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have responded to Elon Musk’s criticism of their ‘big, beautiful bill’ and its substantial funding increase. Johnson, in a closed-door meeting, attempted to explain the legislative process to Musk, asserting that the bill is a critical step in addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges. Thune, meanwhile, downplayed Musk’s potential influence on GOP members, noting that the Senate requires only 51 votes to pass the bill, with the alternative being a less favorable option. The legislation includes a $4 trillion increase in the borrowing limit, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will add an additional $2,400 billion in deficits over the coming decade.
Musk, in his public denunciations, has called the bill an ‘abomination’ and criticized the GOP for not addressing ‘massive deficit spending’. He has even suggested that a new spending bill should be drafted without increasing the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, a stance that has drawn sharp rebuttals from Republicans, who argue that the legislation is necessary to fund critical programs and services. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has also downplayed Musk’s potential threats, citing strong fundraising efforts and Trump’s backing as key to maintaining the House majority. Johnson, who is deeply concerned about Musk’s criticism, has stated that Trump is unhappy with the tech mogul’s opposition to the bill, which is a centerpiece of his legislative agenda.
Despite Musk’s public attacks, Republicans remain focused on securing enough support for the bill, recognizing that the outcome will have significant financial implications for the nation. Johnson’s reassurance to his colleagues that they cannot ‘go back to the drawing board’ indicates that the party is committed to moving forward with the legislation, even as it faces intense scrutiny and opposition from high-profile critics like Musk. As the debate continues, the stakes for both the GOP and the broader economic outlook of the country become increasingly clear.