Elon Musk and President Donald Trump are back in the headlines, and this time, it’s not about electric cars or rocket launches. Tension is brewing on Capitol Hill, where Musk’s latest remarks have sparked a fresh round of infighting among House Republicans.

According to Fox News, Musk’s public criticism of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” has drawn sharp rebukes from some GOP lawmakers, who accuse the billionaire of misunderstanding the legislative process and undermining party unity.

Rather than sideline the controversy, Musk’s comments have exposed ideological rifts within the GOP, with fiscal hawks rallying to his side and party leaders defending their legislative strategy. The dispute centers on the scope of spending cuts and the mechanics of budget reconciliation, topics that have become lightning rods for frustration in both the House and the wider conservative movement.

Battle over spending cuts heats up

Backlash erupted after Musk told “CBS Sunday Morning” that the Trump-supported spending package “undermines the work” of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and labeled it a “massive spending bill” that “increases the budget deficit.” Musk’s remarks did not go unnoticed by House Republicans, who swiftly moved to defend their approach.

One House GOP lawmaker, speaking anonymously, dismissed Musk’s role in Congress and accused him of playing political games. The lawmaker argued Musk wanted “to codify discretionary cuts” but failed to identify enough waste to fund even small agencies like the Small Business Administration, let alone make a dent in the national debt.

Musk’s critics within the GOP argue that the kind of spending reductions he wants—particularly those targeting discretionary spending—can’t be achieved through budget reconciliation. This legislative procedure is reserved for changes to mandatory government funding, such as federal entitlements, and doesn’t allow for broad cuts to annually appropriated agency budgets.

GOP leaders defend legislative path

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has publicly committed to pursuing DOGE spending cuts through separate legislation. He emphasized that while the “big, beautiful bill” is focused on Trump’s tax, immigration, and energy agenda, discretionary spending cuts must be addressed via appropriations or a rescissions package.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., echoed this view, stating the bill’s main beneficiaries are middle-class families and not the wealthy and that it “strikes the proper balance between rooting out fraud to achieve savings and not impacting citizens who rely on government programs.” She made it clear that Trump and House Republicans are prioritizing relief for everyday Americans over billionaires like Musk.

The White House has indicated plans to send its own package of proposed spending cuts to Congress, including suggestions from DOGE, but these would also target discretionary spending through separate budget processes, not reconciliation. Trump advisor Stephen Miller clarified that the current bill “is NOT an annual budget bill and does not fund the departments of government,” positioning it as a historic welfare reform measure instead.

Fiscal hawks back Musk’s warnings

Not everyone in the House GOP is satisfied with the status quo. Fiscal conservatives, including House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., have voiced support for Musk’s concerns about the bill’s impact on the federal deficit. Harris, who voted “present” on the legislation, warned that debt markets remain anxious about the nation’s high deficits and said he hoped the Senate would address these fiscal issues.

Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, was the only Republican to vote against the bill. He criticized the rushed process and called for more meaningful spending cuts, posting on X that the Senate should “succeed where the House missed the moment.” Davidson argued that reconciliation should not be used as a shortcut for sweeping legislative changes without a thorough review by all relevant committees.

Meanwhile, critics of Musk’s position point out that he played a significant role in developing DOGE’s recommendations but ultimately misunderstood the limits of the reconciliation process. One Republican lawmaker suggested Musk “didn’t really have a handle on the process,” emphasizing the need to “bake the DOGE cuts into the budget rather than through reconciliation.”

High-stakes debate shifts to Senate

The dispute has highlighted deep divisions within the GOP over fiscal priorities and legislative strategy. While party leaders insist that Trump’s bill delivers on promises to help working-class Americans, the party’s right flank remains skeptical about the lack of immediate, substantial spending reductions.

Musk has since announced he is stepping away from his federal government role, stating his “scheduled time as a Special Government Employee” has expired. His departure leaves behind a debate that is far from settled, with both sides waiting to see how the Senate will handle the controversial bill and proposed spending cuts.

Fox News reports that the White House and House leaders continue to negotiate next steps, with some lawmakers hoping to address outstanding concerns through future appropriations bills or rescission packages. The outcome could shape the party’s agenda heading into the next election cycle.