Musk Said He’ll Work To Primary Those Who Vote For BBB
Elon Musk issued a pointed warning Monday to Republican lawmakers considering support for the sweeping “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” a nearly 1,000-page spending and tax package pushed forward through budget reconciliation.
Musk, who once aligned closely with GOP leadership and backed President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, announced he will now work to unseat Republicans who support the bill despite having campaigned on fiscal restraint.
The measure, which includes major Trump-era tax extensions and energy deregulation provisions, is slated for a vote before the July 4 deadline. But critics, including Musk, have labeled it a massive betrayal of conservative fiscal principles.
In a post on X, Musk said, “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,” adding that he will ensure they lose their primaries “if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
This marks a dramatic reversal for the tech mogul. Musk spent over $250 million in the last election cycle to support Trump and down-ballot Republicans. He also played a key role in launching the Department of Government Efficiency, which was disbanded last month. Musk’s recent criticism stems from what he sees as unchecked spending—particularly the bill’s $5 trillion increase to the national debt ceiling.
Musk also criticized the House Freedom Caucus for not resisting more forcefully and took issue with the possible rollback of green energy tax credits, which would affect his Tesla customer base. In response, he floated the idea of forming a new political party, calling the current landscape a “one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY.” He pledged to form the “America Party” if the bill is passed.
Trump, who supports the bill, has taken the opposite approach—threatening to campaign against Republicans who oppose it. The conflicting stances between Musk and Trump highlight growing divisions within the conservative movement over fiscal policy and political loyalty.
While the House passed the initial version of the bill in May, Senate negotiations continue. Amendments are being reviewed during a vote-a-rama session, with some controversial provisions, like a proposal from Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to deny Medicaid to certain criminal non-citizens, appearing unlikely to survive.
Despite the internal friction, Republican leadership remains committed. Speaker Mike Johnson called the bill “JET FUEL” for the economy, highlighting provisions such as making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and slashing regulations.