Elon Musk is signaling plans to support primary challenges against Republicans who backed President Trump’s sweeping legislative package, a move that could complicate efforts by the president and GOP leaders to maintain party unity ahead of the midterms.
Earlier this week, Musk declared that any Republican who voted for Trump’s high-profile bill would face a primary challenge, saying he was determined to see them removed from office. The Tesla CEO’s comments have reignited tensions with Trump, reflecting the growing divide between some conservative figures and the former president’s current agenda.
Musk’s remarks are causing concern within Republican circles. Some strategists and party operatives warn that intraparty battles could drain time, energy, and funding from critical general election contests, particularly in a year when historical trends already present challenges for the party holding the White House.
A GOP strategist who has worked on several Senate campaigns noted that internal fights have often hurt Republican chances in key races. According to the strategist, when the party spends heavily on primaries instead of focusing on beating Democrats, it tends to lose winnable seats.
Since his time advising the administration ended, Musk has taken a more oppositional stance toward Trump’s legislative priorities. He’s been particularly critical of the bill’s cost, citing projections that estimate it could add several trillion dollars to the national debt over the next decade.
Despite objections from both ends of the political spectrum, the House narrowly passed the final version of the bill, and Trump signed it during a July 4 celebration at the White House.
Musk, however, has continued to voice his frustration. On Monday, he announced that he intends to support primary challengers against lawmakers who voted for the package. At the same time, he expressed his support for Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a vocal critic of the bill who has frequently clashed with Trump over fiscal issues. Musk said he would help defend Massie’s seat against any effort to unseat him, signaling his interest in shaping the future of the party from outside traditional structures.
