Musk slams Trump’s megabill and drops Epstein allegation, triggering Republican backlash and deepening party rift.

Republicans Recoil After Musk Torches Trump’s Spending Package

Elon Musk’s escalating feud with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders reached new heights this week after the billionaire lashed out over the president’s flagship legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill, and launched an incendiary accusation involving Jeffrey Epstein.

The drama began when Musk publicly condemned the bill as a “disgusting abomination” and accused all 215 House Republicans who voted for it of acting irresponsibly. His remarks provoked concern among party leaders, particularly Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who revealed he attempted to reach Musk by phone. Musk did not respond.

Instead, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO intensified his criticism on X, posting an image of Uma Thurman from the film “Kill Bill” with the caption “KILL the Bill.” The post sent shockwaves through Republican ranks and further complicated their efforts to unify around the bill, which is already under scrutiny for adding an estimated $2.3 trillion to the national deficit, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington acknowledged Musk’s influence but said he was wrong on this issue. “He's got a big voice. And more importantly, it’s a credible voice. But he’s wrong,” said Arrington.

Speaker Johnson pushed back, stating, “Elon, look… we don’t have time for a brand-new bill.” He stressed that Republicans could not go back to the drawing board, even as Musk demanded a legislative overhaul.

GOP Senators and Representatives expressed frustration at Musk’s broad criticisms. Sen. Thom Tillis asked for “productive feedback,” while Rep. Thomas Massie, one of only two Republicans who opposed the bill, suggested Musk had learned a hard lesson about Washington: “Trust was misplaced.”

Allegations, Reactions, and Political Fallout

The conflict escalated dramatically when Musk claimed on X that Trump was named in unreleased Epstein files, suggesting the documents remained sealed to protect the president. “That is the real reason they have not been made public,” he wrote. The comment drew sharp rebukes from GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy, who said Musk had “crossed the line.”

Other Republicans, including Reps. Troy Nehls and Pat Fallon, called Musk’s remarks baseless and unhelpful. “If anything real existed, it would’ve already come out,” said Rep. Randy Fine, echoing skepticism shared across the GOP. Rep. Tim Burchett questioned Musk’s logic, pointing out Musk had recently allowed his child to be around Trump, undermining the seriousness of his claim.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Musk’s allegations as a reaction to not receiving favorable policies in the bill. She emphasized that the president remains focused on delivering middle-class tax relief and restoring fiscal order.

Despite the firestorm, some Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Ron Johnson supported Musk’s criticisms of the bill itself, agreeing that the spending measures raised serious fiscal concerns. Others warned that the Musk-Trump fallout could fracture conservative momentum.

Meanwhile, Democrats used the rift to their advantage. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged Musk wasn’t his “cup of tea” but noted Republicans were listening to him. Sen. John Fetterman, however, called out the irony of Democrats suddenly warming to Musk after years of vilifying him.

Adding to the tension, the Trump administration submitted a $9.4 billion rescission request to claw back spending, a move some Republicans saw as symbolic. “That’s a teardrop in the ocean,” said Rep. Ralph Norman.

As Senate leaders work to secure the necessary votes ahead of the July 4 deadline, the path forward for the One Big Beautiful Bill remains uncertain. Speaker Johnson admitted Musk’s opposition “is not helpful” but insisted it hasn’t changed the bill’s trajectory—at least not yet.