New Phone, Who Dis?
Elon Musk has reportedly stopped responding to House Speaker Mike Johnson after changing his phone number. This came after a heated response from Musk regarding the costs of a significant Republican tax and spending bill.
Johnson shared with a reporter that he sent a detailed message to Musk, but afterward, he realized Musk had disappeared from his contacts. This change occurred soon after tensions flared between Musk and former President Trump.
“I’ve noticed I’m sending messages into the ether, so I’m looking forward to hopefully meeting him in person,” Johnson expressed, noting that Musk had seemingly cut off communication.
Despite the abrupt end to their texting, Johnson mentioned that Musk hasn’t stopped reaching out to others. He also expressed hope for reconciliation between Musk and Trump, highlighting some underlying tensions. “I think there are some issues there, but it’s complicated,” he said.
Musk distanced himself from the Trump administration in late May, shortly before expressing anger about the spending bill, particularly around its implications for the deficit. Reducing the deficit has been a priority for him.
While Musk’s efforts didn’t gain traction with Republicans in Congress, Trump signed the significant bill into law on July 4th. Musk later criticized the bill, calling it “filled with pork,” and proposed starting a new political party as an alternative to the current two-party system. Trump quickly dismissed the idea, labeling it “silly.”
Johnson remarked on the fallout between Musk and Trump, hinting that multiple factors contributed to their rift. He mentioned that Musk had been involved in discussions for quite some time, and it seems expectations may not have aligned. “The final product might not have met all his expectations,” Johnson noted.
While acknowledging the rising national debt, House Republican leaders like Johnson emphasized that solutions can’t be implemented overnight. They are working on a retirement package aimed at addressing previously allocated government spending. “We have plans in place to tackle this,” he assured.
“Elon is undoubtedly a genius,” Johnson remarked. “He excels in ways that are hard to comprehend, but legislation isn’t necessarily his forte.” He indicated that he holds respect for Musk and expressed a desire to clarify the strategic direction they are taking. “This is all part of a long-term approach,” he stated.
Reflecting on his relationship with Musk, Johnson said he has no animosity toward him and respects his contributions. “We can’t fix these big issues overnight, but we’re making progress,” he concluded.
In a recent podcast episode, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles shared insights into President Trump’s past interactions with Musk. She acknowledged that Trump was always kind to Musk, appreciating what he brought to the table. “When things were good, they were really good,” Wiles recalled.
