Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back after billionaire Elon Musk questioned him over a high-profile spending bill—the one President Donald Trump has dubbed the “big, beautiful bill”—and responded publicly on social media.
Newsweek previously reached out to the White House regarding Musk’s criticism of the “big, beautiful bill” via email.
Why It Matters
Johnson reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to fiscal conservatism and outlined his ongoing efforts to restore what he described as “fiscal responsibility and extraordinary economic growth” in the United States.
The public exchange between Musk and Johnson highlights ongoing tensions between the Tesla CEO—who recently left his position as head of the Department of Government Efficiency in Trump’s White House—and leading Republicans. While Musk is at odds with both Johnson and Trump over the party’s approach to government spending, the speaker and president remain broadly aligned on fiscal priorities.
The dispute underscores distinct ideological divisions over economic policy within GOP circles and illustrates how influential voices like Musk seek to shape the party’s future direction and its appeal to American voters.
Infighting within the party could place the bill in peril, due to the narrow majorities for the GOP in both chambers of Congress as well as the united front Democrats have formed against the legislation.
What To Know
Johnson wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, “The Mike Johnson of 2023 is the SAME Mike Johnson who has always been a lifelong fiscal hawk – who now serves as Speaker and is implementing a multi-stage plan to get our country back to fiscal responsibility and extraordinary economic growth.
“It begins with the critically important One Big Beautiful Bill that includes the LARGEST mandatory spending cut to the federal government in history (by almost 400%), the LARGEST tax cut in history, the LARGEST investment in border security in a GENERATION, along with arguably the STRONGEST collection of pro-growth provisions EVER passed,” Johnson said.
The speaker concluded that he is “The same CONSISTENT Mike Johnson who has ALWAYS supported the America First Agenda.”
The dispute unfolded as Musk publicly engaged in the real-time feud with Trump over the spending bill on social media, even asking if it was time to create a new political party.
The Mike Johnson of 2023 is the SAME Mike Johnson who has always been a lifelong fiscal hawk – who now serves as Speaker and is implementing a multi-stage plan to get our country back to fiscal responsibility and extraordinary economic growth.
It begins with the critically… https://t.co/8c2l3bTdk1
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) June 5, 2025
Musk previously asked on X Thursday: “Where is the Mike Johnson of 2023!?” quoting a post from the speaker years ago in which he said, “The federal debt has just topped $31.4 trillion, and the Congressional Budget Office now estimates federal spending for fiscal year 2023 will total $6.221 trillion—or more than $197,000 per second! This is not sustainable!” Johnson said, then linked to a Daily Caller article titled “JAMES CARTER: Spending Faster Than The Speed Of Light.”
Financial responsibility and government spending remain somewhat divisive issues within the Republican Party. Johnson’s claim that he is advancing a “multi-stage plan” to return the country to fiscal health signals internal GOP debates about how best to handle the federal budget. The evolving relationship between party leaders and influential conservative figures could impact policymaking and campaign platforms as midterm election cycles approach.
What People Are Saying
Trump on Truth Social Thursday: “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It’s a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn’t pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that. I didn’t create this mess, I’m just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas on X Thursday: “It’s going to be ugly, and it’s going to be bumpy. But we’re going to get President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill done.”
Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky on X Tuesday in response to Musk slamming the piece of legislation: “I agree with Elon. We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a huge mistake. We can and must do better.”
What Happens Next
Trump has handed down a deadline to Senate Republicans to get the bill passed and on his desk before the July Fourth holiday.
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