On Wednesday, top congressional Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, pushed back against Elon Musk’s criticism of their ‘big, beautiful bill,’ describing Musk’s remarks as inaccurate and overly dismissive of their legislative efforts. Johnson, who led a closed-door conference meeting with House Republicans, sought to reassure his colleagues that the bill’s complexity requires careful consideration and that taking Musk’s comments personally would be counterproductive. During the meeting, he also stated that he had attempted to speak with Musk to clarify the legislative process behind the megabill and a separate measure to reclaim billions in federal spending.
Thune, meanwhile, downplayed Musk’s potential impact on the Senate, noting that the bill only requires a 51-vote majority to pass. He emphasized that the alternative to the megabill is not a favorable option, and that the Senate’s focus should remain on securing the necessary votes. Despite Musk’s social media influence, Thune argued that the final decision rests with Republican members of the Senate. Johnson, speaking at a news conference, reiterated that Musk’s criticism of the GOP legislative agenda was misguided, and that the party was committed to advancing the bill despite the tech mogul’s public dissent.
Musk’s attacks on the bill began on Tuesday, with the tech mogul calling the legislation a ‘disgusting abomination’ and criticizing the GOP for failing to address ‘massive deficit spending.’ He has since continued to push for a new spending bill that would avoid a staggering $5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, a position that starkly contrasts with the current megabill, which includes a $4 trillion increase in the borrowing limit. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the megabill is expected to add an additional $2.3 trillion in deficits over the coming decade, a figure that has not deterred lawmakers from moving forward with the legislation.
Johnson, speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, reiterated that Republicans could not afford to revisit their legislative plans. He urged Musk and other critics to recognize the intricate nature of the bill and the need for immediate action. Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise downplayed Musk’s potential threats to GOP members, stating that the party has already exceeded its fundraising goals ahead of the midterms, which are seen as a crucial opportunity to strengthen the GOP’s position. Scalise also mentioned President Trump’s involvement, noting that the former president is actively supporting the party and is considered an effective advocate for their legislative agenda.
Johnson added that Trump, who has been a vocal supporter of the GOP’s legislative priorities, is frustrated with Musk’s opposition to the megabill. This sentiment was echoed earlier in the closed-door meeting, where Johnson stated that Trump is ‘not delighted’ that Musk has taken a ‘180-degree turn’ on the issue. The controversy highlights the ongoing divide between influential figures in the GOP and the broader legislative process, as lawmakers work to secure the necessary support to pass the bill despite the high-profile criticism from tech industry leaders.