Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) dismissed Elon Musk’s argument that President Donald Trump and the Republican Party would have lost to the Democrats in 2024 if not for his contributions on behalf of the GOP.
As the feud between Musk and Trump rages on, Johnson acknowledged in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Friday that Musk had a “big” role in the GOP’s 2024 election success, but added that Trump “is the one responsible” for defeating the Democrats.
“Elon was a big contributor in the last election, but this was a whole team effort,” Johnson said. “President Trump is the most consequential political figure of his generation, of modern American history. He is the one responsible for that.”
The speaker added that he, along with “all of our House Republicans,” worked tirelessly to deliver the House for the GOP in 2024.
“We all worked hard,” Johnson said, adding, “I traveled the country nonstop. I did over 360 campaign events in over 250 cities and 40 states, and I logged enough miles last year to circle the globe five-and-a-half times. I mean, I contributed to it as well. All of our House Republicans did.”
Johnson said he still respects Musk, calling him a “friend” and crediting him for his role in the “DOGE effort.” The speaker added that disagreements over policy shouldn’t become “personal.”
“I don’t tell my friend Elon, I don’t argue with him about how to build rockets. I wish he wouldn’t argue with me about how to craft legislation and pass it,” Johnson said.
After Trump told reporters on Thursday that he was “very disappointed” with Musk over his criticism of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” the president added that he “would have won Pennsylvania regardless of Elon.” Musk quickly shot back on social media, writing, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.”
“Such ingratitude,” he added.
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Musk donated nearly $300 million to Republican causes in the 2024 election and was one of Trump’s biggest supporters, appearing with him on stage at some of his rallies. Trump rewarded Musk with a senior adviser role in the White House, and Musk spearheaded the effort to cut waste and spending in the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency project. The billionaire entrepreneur became a constant companion of the president, often appearing with him in the Oval Office and traveling with him to sporting events, and in February, Musk said he loved Trump “as much as a straight man can love another man.”
But on Thursday, after Trump’s criticism of Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO quickly ratcheted up the tension, firing off numerous social media posts blasting the president and eventually accusing Trump of refusing to release the Epstein Files because he is implicated in them.
Between posts going after Trump, Musk also suggested starting a new political party “that actually represents the 80% in the middle.” Last month, Musk said that he was “going to do a lot less in the future” in regards to campaign donations, but left the door open to jump back into the political world if he sees “a reason to do political spending in the future.”