Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Elon Musk for his sharp criticism of the GOP megabill, calling him ‘terribly wrong’ after the tech billionaire blasted the bill as a ‘disgusting abomination.’ In a recent statement, Johnson emphasized his recent conversation with Musk, noting that the former CEO of Tesla and SpaceX seemed to understand the bill’s positive aspects during their 20-minute phone call. Johnson expressed disappointment that Musk would publicly condemn the bill despite their private discussion, saying, ‘It’s not personal,’ but he deeply regrets Musk’s public stance.
Musk has been vocal in his opposition to the accelerated repeal of many green subsidies in the House version of the bill, which is a key component of the GOP megabill. Johnson noted that Musk’s criticism of the entire bill, rather than just the specific provisions he opposes, was particularly disappointing. The speaker stressed that their conversation was friendly and productive, but he was taken aback by Musk’s public condemnation, which he believes is a misrepresentation of their private discussion.
Johnson’s comments come amid ongoing debates over the GOP’s legislative agenda, with various stakeholders expressing mixed reactions to the megabill. The bill aims to reshape several key aspects of U.S. policy, including environmental regulations and subsidies. As the debate continues, Johnson’s criticism of Musk highlights the growing tensions between tech leaders and political figures over the direction of the country’s legislative priorities.