(The Epoch Times)—House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on June 8 downplayed tech billionaire Elon Musk’s critical comments and said that House Republicans will pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act backed by President Donald Trump.
Last week, Musk and Trump got into a heated back and forth after the Tesla CEO repeatedly bashed the spending bill on social media. Trump suggested that it was because of its cuts to electric vehicle mandates, and at one point floated cutting federal money to Musk’s companies. Meanwhile, Musk took credit for Trump and the GOP winning the 2024 election and threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
“I didn’t go out to craft a piece of legislation to please the richest man in the world,” Johnson told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “What we’re trying to do is help hard-working Americans who are trying to provide for their families and make ends meet.”
During the interview, Johnson said he texted with Musk in recent days amid the escalating public feud with Trump.
Musk, he said, still believes that Republicans’ “policies are better for human flourishing. They’re better for the U.S. economy. They’re better for everything that he’s involved in with his innovation and job creation and entrepreneurship.”
However, he added, “Elon’s number one responsibility is to save his company. The president and I have the responsibility of saving the country.”
Earlier in the week, Musk called the bill a “disgusting abomination” that would add to the U.S. debt and threaten economic stability. The flurry of social media posts that followed included urging voters to flood Capitol Hill with calls to vote against the measure, which is pending in the Senate after clearing the House. It also included promoting controversial comments about impeaching and replacing the president with Vice President JD Vance.
After Musk appeared to show interest in making amends, Trump told reporters over the weekend that he has no desire to repair his relationship with Musk.
Johnson said that claims that people have called members of Congress to “kill the bill” are inaccurate. “It’s not happening, and we checked with colleagues,” the speaker said.
“We’ve got almost no calls to the offices, any Republican member of Congress,” the House speaker added. “And I think that indicates that people are taking a wait-and-see attitude. Some … may be convinced by some of his arguments, but the rest understand: This is a very exciting piece of legislation.”
Over the weekend, Trump warned Musk that he would face “very serious consequences” if the Tesla CEO backed Democratic politicians against Republicans in elections. Musk has not made any indications he would do so but has floated the creation of an alternative political party to Republicans and Democrats.
Trump told NBC News Saturday that Musk will “have to pay very serious consequences if he does that,” although he did not go into specifics.
He also said that he has no plans to speak with Musk and assumed that their relationship is over.
Meanwhile, Russell Vought, who heads the White House Office of Budget and Management, said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday that Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysts base their models on “artificial baselines.” Because the 2017 tax law set the lower rates to expire, CBO’s cost estimates presume a return to the higher rates that were in place before that law went into effect, he said.
Musk appeared to have used estimates from the CBO to make his “abomination” post criticizing the budget bill that it would increase the U.S. deficit by $2.5 trillion over the next decade.
Vought acknowledged CBO’s charge from Congress is to analyze legislation and current law as it is written. But he said the office could issue additional analyses, implying it could be friendlier to GOP goals.
When asked whether the White House would ask for alternative estimates, Vought again put the burden on the CBO, repeating that congressional rules allow the office to publish more analysis.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For Emergency Preparedness, Don’t Forget the Meds
Being prepared is more than just a good idea—it’s essential. We stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, and first-aid supplies, but one critical aspect often gets overlooked: access to vital medications. What happens if pharmacies close, prescriptions can’t be filled, or you’re cut off from medical care during an emergency?
That’s where Jase Medical steps in, offering a reliable solution to ensure you and your family have the medications you need when it matters most.
Jase Medical specializes in emergency preparedness kits designed to provide peace of mind through physician-reviewed, prescription medications delivered right to your door. Their flagship product, the Jase Case, is a comprehensive emergency antibiotic and medication kit priced at $289.95.
This kit includes 10 essential medications—five life-saving antibiotics and five symptom relief meds—that can treat over 50 common infections and illnesses, from urinary tract infections and pneumonia to skin infections and traveler’s diarrhea. With 28 add-on options available, you can customize the kit to fit your specific needs, including a KidCase for children ages 2-11.
The process is straightforward and hassle-free. Simply visit Patriot.tv/meds, complete an online evaluation, and have your order reviewed by a board-certified physician. Once approved, the medications are shipped discreetly from a licensed pharmacy to your U.S. address (with plans for Canada shipping coming soon). Each kit comes with detailed Med Cards outlining symptoms, dosing, and usage, making it easy to administer even in high-stress situations. These medications are shelf-stable and designed for long-term storage, empowering you to handle medical emergencies without relying on external help.
For those on the move, Jase Medical also offers the Jase Go kit for $129.95, a compact travel med kit covering over 30 common conditions encountered during adventures or trips. And for ongoing needs, Jase Daily provides an extended supply of your prescribed chronic medications to safeguard against disruptions in supply chains or extreme weather events.
Don’t just take our word for it—thousands of satisfied customers have given Jase Medical a 4.9-star rating, praising its role in true preparedness. As radio host Glenn Beck warns, “The supply lines for antibiotics already are stressed to the max. Please have some antibiotics on hand… You can do it through Jase.”
Whether you’re prepping for a hurricane, a power outage, or simply the uncertainties of daily life, Jase Medical ensures you’re not caught off guard. Head to patriot.tv/meds today to customize and order your emergency kit—because when it comes to your health and safety, it’s better to be prepared than sorry.