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By Dan Gooding and Hannah Parry
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House Speaker Mike Johnson has warned his friend Elon Musk never to "challenge" the president, after the Tesla CEO's blowup with Donald Trump on Thursday.
"I'll tell you what, do not doubt and do not second-guess and don't ever challenge the president of the United States, Donald Trump," Johnson told reporters on Friday. "He is the leader of the party. He's the most consequential political figure of this generation and probably the modern era."
Johnson added that he hopes the tech billionaire and Trump can work it out, for the good of the party and the country, adding that "I believe in redemption."
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Why It Matters
Johnson's defense of Trump comes as other GOP members have shared Musk's discontent over the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," which is passing through Congress.
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What To Know
Johnson had already rebuked Musk on Thursday for his criticism of the reconciliation bill that the Tesla and X owner sees as moving against the Trump administration's aim to cut federal government spending.
At one point during a posting session on X, formerly Twitter, Musk asked where the Mike Johnson of 2023 was, in reference to a post from the speaker denouncing a rise in the federal debt.
"The Mike Johnson of 2023 is the SAME Mike Johnson who has always been a lifelong fiscal hawk - who now serves as Speaker and is implementing a multi-stage plan to get our country back to fiscal responsibility and extraordinary economic growth," Johnson posted Thursday afternoon.
Then speaking on CNBC Friday morning, Johnson said that Musk's outburst was a disappointment, as it came from someone he considered "a friend" whom he respected.
"I wish he wouldn't argue with me about how to craft legislation," Johnson said.
He later showed his support for the president on the matter, telling reporters as he walked through the Capitol Building that Musk had achieved much through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but that the world's richest man should not question Trump.
Johnson said he had been with the president in the Oval Office on Thursday and that Trump was disappointed by the "sudden opposition" to the bill.
Johnson's strong support for Trump echoes that of others in the Republican Party, which has control of both chambers of Congress, who recognize that passing legislation furthering Trump's agenda requires unity when majorities are slim.
What People Are Saying
Vice President JD Vance, on X on Thursday: "President Trump has done more than any person in my lifetime to earn the trust of the movement he leads. I'm proud to stand beside him."
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social on Thursday: "I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It's a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn't pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that. I didn't create this mess, I'm just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, on Friday: "To the extent that Musk has declared the bill a 'disgusting abomination,' we agree."
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, on X: "MAGA had Musk's back when Democrats tried to normalize lawfare against Tesla and SpaceX during the Biden presidency. Musk had MAGA's back on fighting censorship and reviving real freedom of speech. We overwhelmingly have similar goals and we have already achieved a lot together. We should all remember that."
What Happens Next
It was not clear Friday whether the president and Musk would meet or call to discuss the fallout over the bill, which Trump has suggested the Senate should pass by July 4.
Update 6/6/25, 2:21 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
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