Republican allies of the Trump administration are privately suggesting that Elon Musk’s fierce criticism of the new federal spending bill stems from personal business interests, Politico reports.
A White House official told the outlet that the West Wing is “perplexed, unenthused, and disappointed” by Musk, who recently stepped down from his advisory role to focus on his struggling business empire.
I count Elon Musk as a good friend, and Congressional Republicans appreciate everything he has done to put a spotlight on waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) June 3, 2025
Now that DOGE has identified wasteful spending, it is being quantified by the Administration, and codified by… pic.twitter.com/eQa5G2GqOX
GOP operatives are reportedly working to frame Musk’s attacks on the “big, beautiful bill” as financially motivated.
“When businessmen criticize legislation, journalists usually look at how it affects their bottom line,” said one Republican source close to the White House. “That should apply here.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson noted the bill eliminates several Biden-era EV tax credits that previously benefited Tesla. “It’s not personal,” Johnson said, adding that Musk’s concern likely stems from the rollback of green subsidies linked to the EV mandate.
