Charles Esther
House Speaker Mike Johnson strongly disagreed with Elon Musk’s harsh critique of the GOP’s signature tax legislation, calling Musk “terribly wrong.”
Elon Musk had described the tax bill as a “disgusting abomination” and a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill” in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).
Johnson Defends the Bill and His Conversation With Musk
Johnson expressed disappointment over Musk’s comments during a press briefing on Tuesday.
“I have come to consider Elon a good friend,” Johnson said. “He’s obviously a very intelligent person, and he’s done a lot of great work.”
Despite their friendship, Johnson insisted Musk was mistaken about the tax bill, commonly referred to as the “big beautiful bill.”
The House Speaker revealed that he spoke with Musk on Monday for over 20 minutes, sharing the bill’s benefits and hoping to clear up any misunderstandings.
“He seemed to understand that,” Johnson added.
Musk’s Strong Opposition to the Tax Bill
On Tuesday afternoon, Musk’s X post sharply criticized the legislation passed by House Republicans on May 22.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk wrote.
He called out those who voted for the bill, saying, “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
Background on the Tax Bill and Deficit Concerns
The GOP bill, championed by former President Donald Trump, aims to pass through the Senate with hopes it will become law by July 4.
However, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates the bill would increase the US deficit by $2.5 trillion over the next decade.
Musk’s Previous Criticism and Departure From Trump Administration
This is not the first time Musk has voiced disapproval of the bill.
In a CBS Sunday Morning interview aired June 1, Musk said he was disappointed by the “massive spending bill” that would increase the budget deficit.
He also admitted uncertainty over whether a bill could be both “big” and “beautiful.”
Musk’s criticisms came shortly after he announced his departure from the Trump administration, ending his 130-day role as a special government employee leading the White House DOGE office.
While Musk acknowledged differences of opinion with the administration, he refrained from specifying details, saying he didn’t want to create “a bone of contention.”
Conclusion
The clash between Musk and Johnson highlights differing perspectives on the GOP tax bill, with Johnson defending the legislation’s merits and Musk denouncing its fiscal impact and political implications.
As the bill moves toward the Senate and possibly the President’s desk, the debate over its consequences continues to unfold publicly.
