President Trump has no stomach for games in Congress. He wants results.
And Republicans splitting at the seams has President Trump fed up and furious with them.
Massie’s Call for Deeper Cuts Gains Traction Amid Musk’s Bill-Busting Blitz
Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, has unleashed a social media firestorm to derail President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending legislation, dubbed the “one big, beautiful bill.” Having stepped down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Friday, Musk has posted over 40 times on X, urging his 200 million followers to pressure lawmakers to “K*ll the Bill.” His campaign, however, is meeting resistance from Congressional Republicans determined to advance Trump’s agenda.
The House-passed bill, now under Senate scrutiny, is a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term vision, blending tax reforms with spending measures. GOP lawmakers view its passage as non-negotiable, brushing off Musk’s criticisms as peripheral. Senate GOP leadership is working against a July 4 deadline to finalize the package, navigating concerns from deficit-conscious holdouts who could jeopardize its progress.
“If he was giving me advice on how to raise several billion dollars from other billionaires, I’d listen,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told reporters Wednesday. “But he doesn’t govern. To be honest Elon is not just that big of a factor.” Cramer’s remarks reflect a sentiment among Republicans that Musk’s influence, while notable, won’t sway the legislative process.
The bill’s inclusion of a $4 trillion debt ceiling increase has sparked controversy, drawing ire from both Musk and fiscal conservatives. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged Congress to deliver the legislation to Trump’s desk by mid-July to avert a debt default. However, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has pledged to block the Senate’s version, citing the debt ceiling hike as a dealbreaker, echoing Musk’s characterization of the bill as “debt slavery.”
Musk’s motivations appear multifaceted. Reports suggest his opposition stems partly from the bill’s proposal to eliminate electric vehicle tax credits, a blow to Tesla’s bottom line. Additionally, Trump’s decision to withdraw a Musk ally’s nomination to lead NASA may have fueled the billionaire’s public crusade. These personal stakes have led some to question the sincerity of his fiscal concerns.
“I know that the EV mandates [is] very important to him,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday. “That is going away because the government should not be subsidizing these things as part of the Green New Deal. I know that has an effect on his business. And I lament that.” Johnson’s comments highlight tensions between policy priorities and corporate interests.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of only two House Republicans to vote against the bill, has emerged as a vocal advocate for a complete overhaul. Labeling Johnson’s remarks about Musk’s motives as “insincere” on X, Massie argues the legislation fails to address the nation’s fiscal challenges adequately. His stance aligns with a growing call among conservatives for more aggressive spending cuts.
Massie’s push for deeper reductions resonates with fiscal hawks who see the bill as a missed opportunity. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) expressed similar reservations, noting, “I don’t think it goes far enough.” He added, “The bond markets are telling everybody this doesn’t do well enough. I don’t know what else they need to see. Everybody’s screaming guys this is not working. We need more spending restraint.”
Despite Musk and Massie’s critiques, most GOP lawmakers remain committed to the bill’s passage. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) dismissed Musk’s campaign as “noise” and “chatter,” emphasizing the bill’s merits. “When you look at the bill and all the good things in it, don’t throw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak,” Nehls told reporters Wednesday, expressing confidence it would reach Trump’s desk by July 4.
The bill’s defenders argue it balances fiscal responsibility with Trump’s priorities. The House version includes $1.6 trillion in spending cuts over a decade, a point GOP leadership highlights to counter claims of fiscal recklessness. They also dispute projections that the bill would add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over ten years, asserting that extending current tax rates has no deficit impact.
The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers on Trump's promises to American voters: no tax on tips or overtime, more money in families' pockets, a secure border, more US energy production, swift deportation of illegal immigrants, and serious spending cuts. It puts America back on track. pic.twitter.com/5PMdYbfTyX
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) June 4, 2025
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a deficit hawk, sees potential in Musk’s outspokenness. While declining to criticize the billionaire’s social media barrage, Norman suggested it could pressure the Senate to strengthen the bill’s fiscal guardrails. “I actually think he’ll help with senators and others who now know that it’s not perfect from a deficit standpoint,” he said.
The Senate’s deliberations will test the GOP’s ability to unify behind Trump’s vision while addressing deficit concerns. With the July 4 deadline looming, lawmakers face pressure to deliver a bill that satisfies both the administration and skeptical conservatives. Massie’s critique, amplified by Musk’s public campaign, keeps the spotlight on the need for more robust spending reforms.
Get any critical updates from Congress on the Trump “Big, Beautiful Bill” right here on the Conservative Column.
