Elon Musk issued a fiery warning to Republicans on Monday, vowing to make primary targets out of any GOP lawmaker who supports the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” — the Trump administration’s sweeping economic package set to head for a final vote by July 4.
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame,” Musk posted on X. “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
Musk, once a major ally of the Trump administration and former head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has emerged as a top critic of the bill, which increases the debt ceiling by $5 trillion. He accused both parties of betraying fiscal conservatives and floated the creation of a new party — the “America Party” — to challenge what he called the “Porky Pig Party.”
Breakdown of Musk’s criticism:
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Accuses Republicans of abandoning campaign promises to cut spending.
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Threatens to bankroll primary challenges against pro-bill Republicans.
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Slams the bill as a “record debt bomb” and labels the GOP and Democrats a “uniparty.”
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Takes issue with the phasing out of green energy credits that affect Tesla.
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Signals support for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), one of the bill’s most vocal opponents.
The bill itself remains a centerpiece of President Trump’s second-term domestic agenda. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the legislation, calling it “JET FUEL for the economy” and touting key provisions like:
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Making the Trump tax cuts permanent,
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Cutting red tape on energy production,
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Eliminating taxes on tips and overtime,
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Providing new tax relief for seniors.
Trump has also threatened to back challengers — but against lawmakers like Sen. Thom Tillis and Rep. Thomas Massie, who opposed the bill. Tillis recently announced his retirement, while Massie remains defiant.
Freedom Caucus tensions rise:
Musk singled out members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), for enabling the spending package despite rhetorical opposition to bloated budgets. Roy fired back by accusing Senate Republicans of doing more to protect Biden-era green subsidies than to fight inflation or rein in $37 trillion in debt.
What’s next:
The Senate is now navigating a vote-a-rama as it attempts to finalize the bill under reconciliation rules. Some amendments, like a proposal from Sen. John Cornyn to deny Medicaid benefits to criminal illegal aliens, appear unlikely to make it into the final version.
Musk’s political pivot marks a major fracture between the tech mogul and the Trump coalition he once bankrolled. His threat to launch a third party — and to spend heavily against GOP incumbents — could upend the 2026 primary season and scramble Republican politics heading into Trump’s third presidential election.