Johnson Highlights GOP's Time Constraints as Trump Plan Looms Amid Musk's 'KILL the BILL' Call

The divide between Republican House leadership and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk widened this week, as Speaker Mike Johnson publicly rejected Musk's call for a completely new budget reconciliation bill. The clash comes at a critical juncture, with Congress racing against the clock to wrap up negotiations on a weighty legislative package aligned with former President Donald Trump’s sweeping agenda.

Musk, in a series of posts on X, sharply criticized the legislation for its implications on the national deficit and debt ceiling. He insisted, "A new spending bill should be drafted that doesn't massively grow the deficit and increase the debt ceiling by 5 TRILLION DOLLARS." Musk escalated his objections, urging lawmakers bluntly to "KILL the BILL," thrusting the already contentious budget process into new territory and frustrating Republicans who have long championed his involvement in government efficiency initiatives.

Speaker Johnson, however, remained firm in his response, citing insufficient time to restart the process. "We don't have time for a brand new bill," he told reporters, highlighting the complexity and the months of work that shaped what he described as an “extraordinary piece of legislation”. Johnson underscored the bill’s record savings and tax cuts, asserting, “We worked on the bill for almost 14 months. You can't go back to the drawing board, and we shouldn't. We have a great product to deliver here.”

Addressing growing criticisms, Johnson urged both colleagues and outside voices not to let “the perfect be the enemy of the good.” He added, “We're proud of this product. The House Republicans are proud of it, and we're happy to go out and explain that to everybody.” He expressed surprise at Musk’s public opposition, especially given extensive Republican collaboration with Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on identifying potential budgetary savings—some of which GOP leaders say will be pursued via separate legislative vehicles, not through the current reconciliation process.

For months, Musk’s guidance through DOGE had been widely praised among conservatives eager for deeper spending reform. Now, his harsh assessment of the negotiated bill places Republican lawmakers in a difficult position as they attempt to maintain party unity while navigating razor-thin margins in both chambers of Congress.

The comprehensive budget package, narrowly approved by the House with a 215-214 vote, advances key Trump-era priorities including changes to taxes, immigration policy, energy development, defense funding, and a significant adjustment to the federal debt limit. With only three House Republicans withholding their support, GOP leaders have cautioned the Senate to avoid significant alterations. Nevertheless, signs of discontent within the Senate Republican majority suggest amendments may yet be on the table.

The White House has signaled unwavering support for the bill despite Musk’s objections. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted, "The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn't change the president's opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he's sticking to it." As the legislation moves to the Senate, the fate of President Trump's signature agenda—and the unity of the Republican Party—remains uncertain under the shadow of high-profile dissent from one of its most influential allies.