Elon Musk has issued a challenge to Republicans who supported President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” threatening to launch primary challenges against them. This move poses a potential challenge for the president and his allies as they face midterm election headwinds. Musk recently stated that those who backed Trump’s megabill would “lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth,” reigniting his feud with Trump. Some Republicans see Musk’s comments as unhelpful, fearing that it could divert resources in an election environment historically unfavorable to the president’s party in power.
Following his departure from the White House, Musk has been a vocal critic of Trump’s policy bill, particularly the projected increase in the deficit. The final version of the bill was narrowly passed by the House and signed by Trump at a Fourth of July event. Musk escalated his frustrations by pledging support for challengers to Republicans who backed Trump’s legislation, advocating for a new political party that prioritizes people’s interests.
While some lawmakers brushed off Musk’s threat, others remained skeptical of his ability to follow through on launching primary challenges against GOP incumbents. Trump, on the other hand, hinted at potential actions against Musk, including deportation and leveraging the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) against him.
The White House and a representative for Musk did not provide comments on the matter. Despite Musk’s threats, some Republicans believe that Trump remains more popular with the base and do not view Musk’s remarks as an immediate threat.
During the current political cycle, Trump’s allies have shown a willingness to challenge and target holdouts within the party who they believe are obstructing the president’s agenda. A pro-Trump super PAC has been established with the aim of removing Massie from his position. According to top GOP donor Eric Levine, unless Musk can recruit strong candidates aligned with his views, his efforts may not gain traction. While some Republicans anticipate a reconciliation between Trump and Musk, primary challenges initiated by Musk could create unnecessary obstacles for the party. Longtime GOP donor Bill Bean expressed concern that primary battles could weaken the party, suggesting that Musk’s resources would be better utilized in winning swing district elections. Despite recent tensions over policy disagreements, Musk has commended Trump’s handling of foreign affairs. However, GOP strategist Jason Cabel Roe cautioned that if Musk proceeds with his primary challenges, he risks alienating both Republicans and Democrats, potentially jeopardizing his political and business ventures.
