Elon Musk, Mike Johnson clash again over Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, is pushing back against Elon Musk’s call for a new budget reconciliation bill, further widening the divide between the tech billionaire and Republicans in Washington.

Musk took to social media to advocate for a new spending bill that would not significantly increase the deficit or raise the debt ceiling by $5 trillion. He even went as far as to post “KILL the BILL” in a tweet.

However, Johnson believes that the current timeline is not conducive to drafting a brand-new bill and that overhauling President Donald Trump’s comprehensive agenda bill is not feasible. “We don’t have time for a brand new bill,” Johnson told Fox News when asked for a response.

The speaker emphasized the complexity of the legislation that has been in the works for almost 14 months, highlighting the record number of savings, tax cuts for Americans, and other benefits included in the bill. Johnson urged critics not to let perfection be the enemy of progress and to recognize the value of the current legislation.

Despite Musk’s strong criticism of the bill, Johnson and House Republicans stand by the product they have created. The bill, which passed the House by a narrow margin, aligns with Trump’s priorities on various issues such as taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the debt limit.

While House GOP leaders have urged the Senate to make minimal changes to the bill due to slim margins, Senate Republicans have signaled a desire for some modifications. The White House has reaffirmed its support for the bill, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt describing it as a “big, beautiful bill.”

Johnson’s response to Musk’s call for a new bill reflects the challenges and complexities of the legislative process. As the debate continues in Washington, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will navigate the divide between different perspectives on the legislation.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the House of Representatives. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.