WASHINGTON: With an uncharacteristically feistiness, speaker Mike Johnson took clear sides Sunday in President Trump's breakup with billionaire Elon Musk.
The Republican House leader and staunch Trump ally said Musk's criticism of GOP's massive tax and budget policy bill will not derail the measure, and he downplayed Musk's influence over GOP-controlled Congress. "I didn't go out to craft a piece of legislation to please the richest man in the world," Johnson said, "What we're trying to do is help hardworking Americans who are trying to provide for their families and make ends meet."
Johnson said he has exchanged text messages with Musk since the former chief of department of govt efficiency (DOGE) came out against the GOP bill.
Musk called it an "abomination" that would add to US debts and threaten economic stability. He urged voters to flood Capitol Hill with calls to vote against the measure, which is pending in the senate after clearing the House. His criticism sparked an angry social media back-and-forth with Trump.
Johnson was dismissive of Musk's threats to finance opponents - even Democrats - of Republican members who back the bill. "We've got almost no calls to the offices... And I think that indicates people are taking a wait and see attitude. Some who may be convinced by some of his arguments, but rest understand: this is a very exciting piece of legislation."
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