'You've lost your damn mind': Republicans cringe at feud between Trump and Musk
WASHINGTON – Republicans in Congress could only cringe as a feud between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk spilled into the public eye, with their sweeping tax legislation at the center of it.
"I've had a lot of love and respect for you for what you've done for this country over the last several months, but you've lost your damn mind," Trump ally Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said to Musk.
The tiff began earlier this week when Musk, newly departed from the administration, called Republicans' sweeping tax bill a "disgusting abomination" because it is expected to increase the federal debt by $2.4 trillion over the next 10 years.
But it escalated into an all-out war over the course of a few hours on the afternoon of June 5, after Trump said in Oval Office remarks that he is "very disappointed" with Musk's comments and suggested he wanted to kill the bill to keep electric vehicle tax credits that benefit his company Tesla.
Musk said Trump wouldn't have won a second term without the quarter of a billion dollars he spent on his 2024 campaign. Trump suggested going after Musk's companies and their federal contracts. And then Musk alleged that Trump's name was in the Justice Department's files related to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"Now (Musk is) calling for his impeachment. I mean, it's just going off the deep end," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee.
And some Republicans who had been raising concerns about the package's price tag welcomed Musk's criticism of GOP spending, avoiding commentary on the rest of the billionaire's posts.
"Elon is not wrong that we should go further, and I've said that all along," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas said. "It would have been nice if he would have spoken up three or four weeks ago when we were in pitched battle over here in the House."
Democrats watched the feud unfold with glee. "This is like the Real Housewives of Foggy Bottom," quipped Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Florida, referencing a Washington, D.C. neighborhood near the White House and lobbyist hot spots.
However, Republicans said they weren't concerned that the spat would make it harder for them to pass their signature bill, which would extend 2017 income tax cuts and pour more money into border security while implementing new restrictions on Medicaid and food stamps.
"Every tweet that goes out, people are more lockstep behind President Trump and (Musk) is losing favor," said Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Oklahoma. "I've talked to Elon Musk, he's super smart. I think this has gotten to a personal vendetta."
Congressional Republicans also suggested they're not scared about Musk's threat to primary lawmakers who voted for the bill in the House – which is all but three of them.
"I think a Republican who is in a primary who is endorsed by Trump and opposed by Musk can feel very comfortable," said Rep. Nick LaLota, R-New York.
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Contributing: Joey Garrison.