
Republican officials are expressing concern over the public feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, with party leaders urging both men to resolve their differences amid fears the conflict could impact legislative priorities.
The dispute between the president and the world’s richest man has raised questions about potential effects on Republican tax and border spending legislation, which Trump has promoted but Musk has criticized.
Vice President JD Vance characterized Musk’s actions as a “huge mistake” in going after Trump. In a Friday interview following the public confrontation, Vance described Musk as an “emotional guy” who became frustrated while expressing hope for reconciliation.
“I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that’s not possible now because he’s gone so nuclear,” Vance stated.
The vice president’s remarks reflect broader Republican concerns about the rift between two figures who were previously close allies and spent considerable time together in recent months.
Representative Dan Newhouse of Washington expressed optimism that the situation would resolve itself, saying he hoped it wouldn’t distract from legislative work and predicted the two would “mend fences.”
By Friday afternoon, Musk had ceased his public attacks, instead posting about his business ventures on social media. Trump departed for his New Jersey golf club without addressing reporters’ questions about the conflict.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas told Fox News host Sean Hannity that both men working together would accomplish more for America than working at cross purposes. Senator Mike Lee of Utah posted on social media, expressing his fondness for both individuals and asking followers if they wanted to see Trump and Musk reconcile.
The nature of the dispute remains fluid, with potential for either escalation or resolution. Sources indicate Musk desires to speak with Trump, though the president appeared uninterested in immediate dialogue.
In Friday morning television interviews, Trump showed no inclination toward reconciliation. When asked about potential communication with Musk on ABC News, Trump responded by questioning Musk’s mental state and indicated he was not particularly interested in speaking with him currently.
Some observers remained optimistic about resolution. Fox News host Sean Hannity compared the situation to sports conflicts that typically resolve quickly, characterizing the dispute as fundamentally about policy differences rather than personal elements.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that the conflict would not affect the tax and border legislation, stating that members remained focused and committed to passing the bill on schedule. While hoping for reconciliation between Trump and Musk, Johnson also issued a warning to the entrepreneur about challenging Trump’s authority.
“Do not doubt and do not second-guess, and don’t ever challenge the president of the United States, Donald Trump,” Johnson said, emphasizing Trump’s leadership role within the party and describing him as the most consequential political figure of the modern era.
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