
As the Republican Party braces for aftershocks from President Donald Trump’s spectacular clash with Elon Musk, federal lawmakers and conservative figures are urging détente, fearful of the potential consequences from a prolonged feud.
At a minimum, the explosion of animosity between the two powerful men could complicate the path forward for Republicans’ massive tax and border spending legislation that has been promoted by Trump but assailed by Musk.
“I hope it doesn’t distract us from getting the job done that we need to,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington state. “I think that it will boil over and they’ll mend fences”
Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, was similarly optimistic.
“I hope that both of them come back together because when the two of them are working together, we’ll get a lot more done for America than when they’re at cross purposes,” he told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night.
Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, sounded almost pained on social media as Trump and Musk volleyed insults at each other, sharing a photo composite of the two men and writing, “But … I really like both of them.”
“Who else really wants @elonmusk and @realDonaldTrump to reconcile?” Lee posted, later adding: “Repost if you agree that the world is a better place with the Trump-Musk bromance fully intact.”
So far, the feud between Trump and Musk is probably best described as a moving target, with plenty of opportunities for escalation or detente.
One person familiar with the president’s thinking said Musk wants to speak with Trump, but that the President doesn’t want to do it – or at least do it on Friday. The person requested anonymity to disclose private matters.
In a series of conversations with television anchors Friday morning, Trump showed no interest in burying the hatchet. Asked on ABC News about reports of a potential call between him and Musk, the President responded: “You mean the man who has lost his mind?”
Trump added in the ABC interview that he was “not particularly” interested in talking to Musk at the moment.
Still, others remained hopeful that it all would blow over.
“I grew up playing hockey and there wasn’t a single day that we played hockey or basketball or football or baseball, whatever we were playing, where we didn’t fight. And then we’d fight, then we’d become friends again,” Hannity said on his show Thursday night.
Acknowledging that it “got personal very quick,” Hannity nonetheless added that the rift was “just a major policy difference.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson projected confidence that the dispute would not affect prospects for the tax and border bill.
“Members are not shaken at all,” the Louisiana Republican said. “We’re going to pass this legislation on our deadline.”
He added that he hopes Musk and Trump reconcile, saying “I believe in redemption” and “it’s good for the party and the country if all that’s worked out.”
But he also had something of a warning for the billionaire entrepreneur.
“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 said. “He is the leader of the party. He’s the most consequential political figure of this generation and probably the modern era.”
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
3 comments
Michael K
June 6, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Who hired Elon in the first place? Whoever hired him exercised very poor judgement.
Earl Pitts "Major Online Influncer" American
June 6, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Good Tidings to all of my, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American’s, Besty Leftys,
I, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American, would like to provide some “Inside Politics”, Wisdom to all my Besty’s so they may, one & all, relax their political sphincters.
Elon only had minimum influnce on Trump’s Landslide Election to POTUS.
So long story short the Americsn Lefty’s hate of Elon is not actually logical.
The lefty’s should actually hate me, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American, instead as it was totally me, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American, whi 110% got Ttump elected.
PROFF POSITIVE:
I, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American, Had a 97.336% influnce on Trump’s landslide victory, due, mainly to my, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American’s, major push for Trump, due to my, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American’s, CHASTIZEMENT, of all Dook 4 Brains Lefty’s in Florida who posted un-approved leftist screed.
IN CLOSING:
I Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American, Hereby instruct you all to hate me, Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American rather than Elon,
Earl Pitts “Major Online Influncer” American
Bill Pollard
June 6, 2025 at 5:26 pm
I want a front row seat to this fight. Laurel and Hardy at its best.