Mike Johnson Calls for Trump and Musk to Reconcile Amid Ongoing Feud

Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican from Louisiana, expressed his hope on Friday that President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk will "reconcile" following a heated and public feud over the GOP’s much-anticipated "one big, beautiful bill." Speaking to reporters, Johnson described being with Trump just as the dispute with Musk erupted, noting, "He was disappointed, and I was surprised by Elon's sudden opposition."

Johnson emphasized his belief in the power of redemption, stating, "I believe in redemption. That's part of my worldview, and I think it's good for the party and the country if all that's worked out." While he stopped short of addressing Musk directly, Johnson appeared to rebuke the billionaire's recent attacks, making it clear where his loyalty lies: "Do not doubt and do not second guess and don't ever challenge the President of the United States, Donald Trump. He is the leader of the party, he’s the most consequential political figure of this generation, in probably the modern era, and he's doing an excellent job for the people," Johnson declared.

When asked about his communications with Musk after the exchange, Johnson confirmed they had "exchanged texts" but declined to elaborate on what was discussed. He insisted that Republicans remain steadfast in their legislative mission despite the controversy. "Members are not shaken at all. We are going to pass this legislation on our deadline, and we're very bullish about it," Johnson insisted, signaling continued confidence within House GOP ranks.

As the internal drama unfolded, the White House also weighed in. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated President Trump’s focus on enacting the comprehensive bill, underscoring his commitment to what the administration sees as vital reforms. Trump himself, in a media interview, dismissed the prospect of further discussions with Musk and downplayed any potential political fallout. "Elon's totally lost it," the president said, brushing aside Musk's threat to launch a third-party movement.

The rift began when Musk accused Republican lawmakers of failing to take aggressive enough action to cut federal spending through the proposed budget reconciliation bill—legislation intended to fast-track key Trump priorities, including tax cuts, immigration reforms, energy initiatives, defense, and adjustments to the debt ceiling. Musk singled out prominent GOP leaders, including Trump, Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, calling their efforts inadequate.

Despite the high-profile criticism from one of the world's richest and most influential entrepreneurs, most Republicans have remained united in support of both Trump and the bill. With both the party leadership and the President signaling determination to move forward, the coming days are likely to test whether unity can be restored—or whether deep divisions with outside voices like Musk will persist as the 2024 political season intensifies.