Republicans scramble to avoid a war with Elon Musk
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Elon Musk stands in the Oval Office during a press conference with President Trump on May 30. Photo: Tom Brenner For The Washington Post via Getty Images
House Republicans, dismayed by Elon Musk's harsh criticism of President Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," are now trying to talk their erstwhile ally down from the ledge.
Why it matters: With over $400 billion at his disposal, the Tesla and SpaceX owner could drown Republicans in opposition cash. And he's saying GOP lawmakers who voted for the bill should be "fired."
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he called Musk on Tuesday but that the recently departed Trump lieutenant "didn't answer," adding that he hopes to "talk to him today."
What we're hearing: Coming out of their closed-door conference meeting, House Republicans projected optimism they can get Musk back on side.
- "There's a sense that Elon is still learning about the full number of wins in the One Big, Beautiful Bill," another House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations, told Axios.
- The lawmaker said House Republicans have "talked to him in the last 24 hours" and "have helped him understand the big picture."
- Another House Republican told Axios: "I think he'll recognize maybe more than most the challenge that we face when we're trying to cut spending. He simply wants more spending as I understanding. He should know how hard that is."
State of play: Musk slammed the bill as a "disgusting abomination" on Tuesday, writing in a post on X, "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."
- In another post, Musk responded to another user's criticism of the bill writing, "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people."
- All but five House Republicans voted for the reconciliation bill last month.
Between the lines: Johnson said he had a "great conversation" with Musk on Monday morning, before his social media rampage, and that "it's curious to me what happened this week."
- The House speaker said Musk told him in that conversation that he would lend support to Republicans in the 2026 elections.
Zoom in: There is also simmering anger behind the scenes, with Johnson telling colleagues in the conference meeting that Trump is "pissed off" at Musk, according to a source familiar with his comments.
- A third House Republican argued that the bill benefits "middle class families and taxpaying, working-class people" and that "maybe that upsets the billionaire class, I don't know."
- "I think he's flat wrong," Johnson said at his press conference. "I think he's way off on this and I've told him as much."
