GOP senators fear Musk-Trump beef spells trouble

The Hill ^ | 07/10/25 6:00 AM ET | by Alexander Bolton -

[RandFan]

Senate Republicans fear Elon Musk’s beef with President Trump could become a wild-card factor that could cost them seats in 2026 if Musk follows through on his threat to create a new political party to compete with the GOP.

GOP lawmakers note that third-party candidates have swung presidential and Senate races in the past and worry that Musk’s bid to establish an “America Party” is likely to peel off more Republicans than Democratic voters in key races.

Musk, if he moves forward with his plans, is expected to make reducing the federal debt a key plank of his new party, an issue that traditionally appeals to conservative voters. The tech mogul also has threatened to support primary challenges against self-described Republican fiscal conservatives who voted for Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The billionaire created a big political headache for Republicans last month by trashing Trump’s megabill as a “disgusting abomination” and warning it would “destroy millions of jobs in America.”

While GOP lawmakers doubt that America Party candidates could actually win seats in Congress, they worry Musk-backed, third-party candidates could play spoiler roles and swing close races to Democrats.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) warned that Musk could cost Republicans unified control of the White House and Congress, which they used this year to cut taxes, slash Medicaid spending and beef up border security, among other accomplishments.

Asked about Musk’s formation of the America Party, Johnson offered a blunt answer: “If he wants to ensure never returning to a prepandemic level of spending, never balancing our budget, that would be a good thing to do.”

In other words, Johnson thinks that Musk will wind up imperiling Republican candidates and future control of policymaking.

“He’d be splitting our party,” he said. “We actually have some people concerned about the deficit, Democrats don’t.”

Johnson said it’s “obvious” that Musk’s political party would hurt Republicans more than Democrats and he warned that fellow Republicans need to take the debt more seriously ahead of the midterm election.

“We better get our act together in terms of reducing spending in our party,” he said.

[RandFan]

Can you say SPLIT the vote? It's dumb idea and i'm generally sympathetic.

Just back Rand for president, Mr. Musk.

[PIF]

Just back Rand for president, Mr. Musk.
—

The sooner the Rand family is out of politics, the better.

[Sicon]

If the GOP wasn’t such a worthless bunch of feckless, self-serving clowns, this wouldn’t be an issue.

[escapefromboston]

A foreigner buying politicians isn’t a good look and I doubt Musk even ends up running any real candidates.

[PK1991]

Well its an obvious result. When you don’t do what got you elected the voters will look to find an alternative. There was more to the election than cult of personality. We have 800 military bases overseas. Rather than closing some we increased the defense budget and they can’t even pass an audit. More weapons to Ukraine and we are still paying civil servants in Ukraine. We are sending billions sending aircraft carriers to the middle east and spending our defense stock. We are placing tariffs on the raw materials that produce high end export items that increase the cost of those items so we can sell less exports of higher value items. The Epstein files now don’t exist. I’m not sure of the numbers but I read Obama deported more people than the current administration. Is it just kabuki theater on deportations? Have we hit a Perdue plant yet? Thankfully we closed the border, but we spent huge amounts more money than requested for border security than requested, apparently so someone can do the DC grift on that as the money sloshes around the cocktail set. I’m a Trump supporter but these are just a few items that have me scratching my head on where this is going. If it keeps going this way we’ll have two years of a Democrat Congress investigating Trump, again.

[Bratch]

Twitter CEO Resigns as Elon Musk’s Epic Political Meltdown Continues

July 9, 2025 | Sundance 

Following Elon Musk’s decision to start a new political party Twitter/X platform CEO Linda Yaccarino announces her departure.  Musk responds with a polite, “Thank you for your contributions.”

(VIA X) – After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏.

When [Elon Musk] and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App.

I’m incredibly proud of the X team – the historic business turn around we have accomplished together has been nothing short of remarkable.

We started with the critical early work necessary to prioritize the safety of our users—especially children, and to restore advertiser confidence. This team has worked relentlessly from groundbreaking innovations like Community Notes, and, soon, X Money to bringing the most iconic voices and content to the platform. Now, the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with Xai.

X is truly a digital town square for all voices and the world’s most powerful culture signal. We couldn’t have achieved that without the support of our users, business partners, and the most innovative team in the world.

I’ll be cheering you all on as you continue to change the world.

As always, I’ll see you on 𝕏

[Source]

According to multiple media reports, the Tesla board of directors is not happy with Musk, multiple investors have retreated from their holdings. Now the CEO of his X platform exits as President Trump says, 

“I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely “off the rails,” essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks.”

Watch Larry Ellison.  Without Ellison Musk would not have survived so far.

The prideful Elon Musk is seemingly going into a deep downward spiral.  Pride cometh before…

[yldstrk]

Elon is a purist. Politicians make deals with devils. Elon doesn’t care for that and I, for one, don’t blame him.

[daku]

If republicans are worried about Musks moves, then cut some substantial spending.
Boom, Musk is back in the fold.

[vivenne]

Musk wants to split the vote to hurt Trump whom he feels didn’t give him what he wanted.

[vivenne]

Musk has made plenty of deals with the Devil. Musk is beholden to Communist China.

[shelterguy]

“””Just back Rand for president, Mr. Musk. “””

DEFINITELY. Rand for President.....of his homeowners association.

[quantim]

To all the GOPe, RINOs, uniparty, deep state, swamp dwellers, elites, back stabbers, establishment, surrender monkeys, turncoats, assistant democrats, traitors, liars, debt junkies, crooks, thieves, scumbags, republicrats, democrat lite and so forth get the hell out now and join Musk in his new party.

Nothing could improve America more (and faster) than getting rid of RINOs.

[yldstrk]

If the GOP wasn’t such a worthless bunch of feckless, self-serving clowns, this wouldn’t be an issue.
********
You forgot to say spineless, country club buffoons.

[yldstrk]

If republicans are worried about Musks moves, then cut some substantial spending.
Boom, Musk is back in the fold.
*********
Amen

[yldstrk]

Musk has made plenty of deals with the Devil. Musk is beholden to Communist China.
*********
Hahahahahahaha. Yeah, right. The richest man in the world is beholden to a bunch of Chinese copycats.

[vivenne]

You really are stupid.

[Fester Chugabrew]

American Party is good for congress, but not for President at this time.

[bert]

The whole charade is theater

[Yossarian]

If the GOP wasn’t such a worthless bunch of feckless, self-serving clowns, this wouldn’t be an issue.

Agreed. I've grown to despise the tantrum-throwing little man-boy Musk…
…but that pales to how I feel about the budget-bloating RINOs and America back-stabbers in the Senate.

I really don't know how the USA continues as a country at this point. Nobody - not even DJT - seems to be charting a course towards long-term (or even mid-term) health.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

We used to raise chickens on our farm. There is no accounting for what can set a gaggle of old hens to clucking in fear.