Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has issued a vehement warning against GOP lawmakers supporting President Donald Trump's latest legislative initiative, the Daily Caller reported.
Musk has vowed to back primary challengers against Republican legislators who endorse Trump's controversial tax relief and immigration bill, which includes a substantial debt ceiling hike and significant cuts to green energy subsidies.
In a series of fiery messages on the social media platform X, Musk expressed his disapproval, igniting a political battle with his former allies. He severed ties with the government in May, exiting his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and has since been a vocal critic of the bill, deeming it "the largest debt increase in history."
Musk, previously a major financial backer of the GOP with a nearly $300 million contribution to Trump’s 2024 campaign and other Republican figures, now stands in opposition. The main point of contention is the proposed $5 trillion rise in the debt ceiling.
The White House, however, remains firm in rallying GOP members to back the bill, which represents the centerpiece of President Trump's second-term agenda. Trump aims to finalize the legislation by July 4 to symbolize a legislative victory.
The bill not only aims to extend the 2017 tax cuts permanently but also increases funding for both immigration enforcement and national defense, coming with reforms to Medicaid. The proposal's comprehensive fiscal implications have raised eyebrows among some fiscal conservatives.
Musk’s stance aligns him with certain Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie, who similarly reject the massive debt increment proposed in the bill. Their shared opposition underscores a larger GOP divide regarding federal spending and debt management.
Particularly displeasing to Musk is the proposal's impact on green energy subsidies, which directly affects his companies, Tesla and Tesla Energy. He had actively lobbied privately to maintain a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit crucial for Tesla.
Despite his criticisms, Musk's comments have not gone unchallenged. Several senators have responded, either questioning the timing of his objections or dismissing his remarks altogether, framing the criticisms as premature.
Sen. Bernie Moreno expressed confusion about Musk's disapproval, noting the positive elements of the bill. "I'm not sure why he would be upset with the bill. It does a lot of great things," Moreno stated.
Sen. Jim Justice suggested that personal egos might be clashing in the public debate, remarking, "I'm sure Elon has a real ego, and sometimes egos can really clash.” Justice advocated for more mature conduct in the political discourse by saying, "The classiest thing in the world we could do is quit the food fight."
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, on the other hand, downplayed the significance of Musk's statements, commenting, "I don't think a single person is talking, not one person is talking about [the tweet], actually."
The legislative process surrounding the bill is moving forward at a brisk pace. The Senate could potentially pass the measure as soon as Monday night, setting the stage for the House to consider the Senate-amended proposal by Wednesday.
Musk, however, remains unwavering in his commitment to counter the legislation's impact, pledging to support primary challenges against any lawmakers who endorse the measure. "And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," he vowed.
As the legislative deadline looms, Musk's proposal to form a new political party focused on reducing government expenditure adds another layer to the unfolding political narrative. His activism highlights broader tensions within the Republican Party regarding fiscal policy and environmental priorities.
