Billionaire Elon Musk targeted congressional Republican leaders Thursday, attacking Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader John Thune on social media over the cost of Donald Trump’s domestic agenda after openly breaking with the president.
Musk shared two previous social media posts from Johnson and Thune where the GOP leaders had voiced concern about the budget deficit and national debt and added: “Where is the Mike Johnson of 2023!?” and “Where is the John Thune of 2020??”
Musk, the former Department of Government Efficiency chief, has blasted the megabill over recent projections it would grow the budget deficit. A Johnson spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday, though Johnson said earlier Thursday that Musk was a “good friend” and that they’d planned to speak.
Thune sidestepped a question about the feud Thursday. “I don’t have an observation about that,” he told reporters when asked about Musk’s attacks.
Musk, a GOP megadonor, has stepped up his attacks on the megabill in recent days and told his millions of social media followers to “kill the bill.” He’s also threatened to target or primary Republican incumbents in the midterm elections.
Lisa Kashinsky contributed to this report.
