Republican Senators React to Elon Musk-Trump Feud: ‘He’s Not the CEO Here’

The intensifying public clash between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump over the proposed budget bill is sending ripples through Washington, with key Republican senators weighing in on the implications for Congress, government contracts, and the future of pivotal agencies like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Senator John Cornyn of Texas addressed the uproar, characterizing Musk as someone who has “done a great service to the nation,” especially by initiating DOGE during Trump’s administration. Cornyn, however, stopped short of taking sides in the ongoing feud, emphasizing the importance of keeping DOGE as a permanent fixture in Senate discourse. “Everybody believes, or understands, I should say, that the federal government is too big and too bloated and inefficient, and Elon and DOGE was very effective, I thought, at pointing out some of the most egregious examples of that," Cornyn remarked, underscoring the consensus around government inefficiency despite the political drama unfolding between Musk and Trump.

The rift erupted after Musk posted a scathing critique of the president’s massive spending bill, calling it an “outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill” and asserting that those who supported it were aware of their wrongdoing. The dispute escalated when Musk accused Trump of being mentioned in the controversial Epstein files—a claim that further fanned the flames of hostility between the two influential figures.

President Trump, meanwhile, has fired back, claiming he removed Musk from leadership at DOGE and rescinded policies that had benefitted Musk’s business interests, including the electric vehicle mandate. In a particularly pointed threat, Trump suggested slashing all government subsidies and contracts awarded to Musk’s ventures, remarking that such cuts would yield “Billions and Billions of Dollars” in savings for the federal budget. Trump added, "I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it!" indicating his intent to distance his administration from Musk’s business empire.

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas added another layer to the discussion, highlighting the difference between private sector leadership and congressional governance. “What Elon doesn’t realize is that he’s not the CEO here,” Marshall said. He explained that navigating Congress involves contending with hundreds of opinions and representatives, unlike the hierarchical command structure of a corporation. “When you’re a CEO, you tell people jump, they say, 'How high?' But President Trump is working with a board.”

Marshall signaled that despite the national spotlight on the Musk-Trump row, lawmakers remain focused on advancing the budget bill. He asserted, “I can guarantee you we’re not paying any attention to this little feud going on,” dismissing the drama as a distraction from legislative work. Marshall agreed with Musk’s fiscal concerns about government overspending but insisted the primary goal remains getting the “big, beautiful bill across the line.”

On the issue of Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts—a frequent point of contention raised by Democratic lawmakers—both Cornyn and Marshall sought to reassure constituents that essential services would be protected for the most vulnerable. Marshall, while criticizing the misuse of Medicaid by “illegal aliens” and others he claimed were acting fraudulently, pledged not to remove critical support from groups such as the elderly, disabled, and children. “We’re not going to take grandma out of the nursing home. We’re going to make sure that she has her Medicaid,” he affirmed, but added that healthier, working-age Americans should be encouraged to become self-sufficient rather than rely on government assistance.

As the debate continues to unfold both online and in the Capitol, Republicans appear united in their commitment to passing the budget bill while grappling with the political firestorm ignited by one of the nation’s most prominent entrepreneurs. In the meantime, the future of Musk’s government partnerships—and his influence over federal efficiency initiatives—remains under intense scrutiny as lawmakers navigate the turbulent intersection of politics, personality, and policy.