Johnson ‘surprised’ by Musk’s criticism of ‘big, beautiful bill’
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed surprise at Elon Musk’s criticism of the “big, beautiful bill” after the two had a discussion about the legislation. Despite Musk’s negative comments, Johnson remained confident in the bill but acknowledged that it would take more than one piece of legislation to address the staggering national debt, which has surpassed $36.2 trillion.
Johnson emphasized that the Trump administration needed four years to implement reforms, not just two, and criticized the Biden administration for creating a “disaster” in various aspects of public policy. He highlighted the need for comprehensive solutions to address the challenges facing the country.
In a conversation with Musk, whom he considers a friend, Johnson defended the bill’s merits, describing it as “beautiful.” However, Musk later criticized the bill as a “disgusting abomination,” sparking a public disagreement between the two. Despite their differing opinions, Johnson praised Musk for his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce government waste.
Senate Republicans also expressed concerns and skepticism about the bill following Musk’s criticism. Musk’s tweets and retweets calling out the excessive spending in the bill resonated with many lawmakers who raised questions about the necessity of certain provisions.
During a press briefing, House Republican leaders defended the bill, citing the need for funding to support the Trump administration’s efforts to address issues such as illegal immigration. They highlighted recent incidents, such as an antisemitic attack in Colorado allegedly carried out by an illegal immigrant, to underscore the importance of the bill’s funding.
As the bill passed the House, the focus now shifts to Senate Republicans to meet President Trump’s deadline for approval by July 4th. The ongoing debate surrounding the bill highlights the complexities of addressing the national debt and the challenges of balancing competing priorities in government spending.
In conclusion, the disagreement between Speaker Johnson and Elon Musk underscores the complexities of addressing the national debt and the need for comprehensive solutions to address the country’s financial challenges. The debate over the “big, beautiful bill” reflects broader discussions about government spending and fiscal responsibility in an era of increasing debt levels.
