Understanding the Elon Musk Bill Primary Threat
The conflict centers around what Trump has dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a comprehensive budget reconciliation package advancing the president’s agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, and defense. While Trump champions the legislation as transformative, Musk has taken an increasingly antagonistic stance, labeling it a “disgusting abomination” that would dramatically increase the national debt.
Musk’s opposition culminated in a direct threat posted on his social media platform X: “Anyone who campaigned on the PROMISE of REDUCING SPENDING, but continues to vote on the BIGGEST DEBT ceiling increase in HISTORY will see their face on this poster in the primary next year.” The message was accompanied by an image of Pinocchio sitting on fire with the caption “LIAR Voted to increase America’s DEBT by 5,000,000,000.00.”
“It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!! Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.”
Trump’s Fierce Response to Musk’s Challenge
President Trump didn’t take Musk’s criticism lightly. In a late-night Truth Social post, Trump threatened to have the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – ironically, an entity Musk himself previously led – investigate government subsidies benefiting Musk’s companies.
“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump posted. “No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
The president escalated tensions further during remarks to reporters, suggesting that “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” and even hinting at the possibility of deporting Musk, who was born in South Africa, saying “I don’t know, we’ll have to take a look” when asked about the possibility.
Musk has become increasingly vocal about his opposition to the bill, claiming it undermines the work his DOGE team accomplished.
Trump has suggested that Musk’s companies receive substantial government subsidies that could be reconsidered.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill”: What’s at Stake
The legislation at the center of this political storm is a comprehensive budget reconciliation bill designed to advance Trump’s agenda across multiple fronts. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Senate version of the bill would increase the national debt by approximately $3.3 trillion over the next decade.
| Key Components | Trump’s Position | Musk’s Criticism |
| Tax Cuts | Supports as economic stimulus | Claims will increase deficit |
| Electric Vehicle Mandates | Opposes mandates | Initially supported (affects Tesla) |
| Debt Ceiling Increase | Necessary for government function | Calls it “biggest in history” |
| Medicaid Reforms | Supports cost-cutting measures | Concerned about coverage loss |
The CBO also estimated that nearly 12 million people could lose their health insurance over the next decade, primarily due to the bill’s Medicaid cuts. These projections have fueled opposition not just from Musk but from several Republican lawmakers as well.
Electric Vehicle Mandates: A Key Point of Contention
Trump has specifically pointed to electric vehicle mandates as a major source of tension with Musk. In June, the president signed congressional resolutions ending California’s restrictive rules for diesel engines and mandates on electric vehicle sales, celebrating that his signature “will kill the California mandates forever.”
“When you look at it … not everybody wants an electric car,” Trump stated in his remarks regarding Musk. “I don’t want an electric car. I want to have maybe gasoline. Maybe electric, maybe a hybrid. Maybe some day a hydrogen.”
This policy direction directly impacts Tesla, Musk’s signature electric vehicle company, which has already experienced declining sales this year. Some analysts suggest this decline may be partially attributed to consumer reaction to Musk’s highly visible role in the Trump administration before their falling out.
The DOGE Factor: From Efficiency Tool to Political Weapon
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has emerged as a central element in this political drama. Musk previously served as a special government employee with the Trump administration to help lead DOGE, frequently attended Cabinet meetings, and joined Trump during public events.
Musk’s tenure with DOGE wrapped up at the end of May, as negotiations over the “One Big Beautiful Bill” intensified in Congress. Now, in a remarkable turn of events, Trump is threatening to use the very department Musk helped establish to investigate the government subsidies benefiting Musk’s companies.
Key Point: Trump’s threat to have DOGE “eat Elon” represents a significant escalation, suggesting potential investigations into SpaceX and Tesla’s government contracts and subsidies, estimated by some reports to be worth at least $38 billion.
Political Implications of the Elon Musk Bill Primary Threat
Musk’s threat to primary Republican lawmakers who support the bill comes at a critical time. With slim margins in both the House and Senate, Republicans can ill afford internal divisions as they attempt to pass the legislation by their self-imposed July 4 deadline.
The tech billionaire has even suggested forming a new political party if the bill passes. “If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,” Musk wrote in a post on X. “Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”
This threat has been met with dismissal from some Trump allies. Steve Bannon, a former White House counsellor, teased the entrepreneur over his threat to start a new America Party, posting: “America Party … founded by a non-American.”
Republican Response
- Most Republican lawmakers standing firm with Trump
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed Musk’s criticism
- Some fiscal conservatives quietly share Musk’s concerns
Potential Consequences
- Divided Republican party heading into midterms
- Possible primary challenges funded by Musk
- Uncertainty for government contracts with Musk’s companies
Impact on Musk’s Business Empire
The market reaction to the escalating feud was swift. Tesla shares dropped 6% before the opening bell following Trump’s threats, adding to the company’s challenges in 2025. Year to date, Tesla stock is down 21%, although it has rallied significantly from its spring lows.
Two of Musk’s companies — SpaceX and Tesla — have significant U.S. government contracts or benefit from subsidies. The Washington Post has reported that Musk’s businesses have received at least $38 billion in various government benefits, credits, and contracts.
The Broader Significance of the Musk-Trump Feud
The conflict between Musk and Trump represents more than just a personal feud. It highlights fundamental tensions within the Republican party between traditional fiscal conservatism and Trump’s approach to governance and spending. The dispute also raises questions about the relationship between government and big business, particularly in sectors like space exploration and electric vehicles where public and private interests are deeply intertwined.
As the Senate continues to vote on amendments to the bill and the July 4 deadline approaches, the political drama between these two powerful figures shows no signs of abating. Whether Musk will follow through on his primary threat remains to be seen, but the impact of this conflict will likely reverberate through both American politics and the business world for months to come.
The Senate continued overnight votes on the bill as of this publication. The legislation must be passed again by the House before heading to Trump for his signature.