President Donald Trump is facing a new challenge inside his own party as Elon Musk openly backs Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a vocal critic of Trump’s sweeping domestic agenda. Musk confirmed on X that he will support Massie’s re-election bid, stepping directly into a Republican primary battle where Trump has promised to unseat Massie over his resistance to the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Musk’s endorsement came in two separate posts, first replying “I will” when pressed to support Massie and later writing “Me” in response to a question about who would back Massie’s campaign. The posts followed Musk’s ongoing public criticism of the massive spending bill central to Trump’s policy push, with Musk accusing supporters of the bill of betraying promises to reduce government spending.
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame,” Musk posted. “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
Trump responded to Musk’s attacks by warning he may deploy the Department of Government Efficiency to investigate Musk’s companies, escalating tensions between the former allies. The dispute highlights a growing internal GOP debate ahead of 2026, with some Republicans backing Trump’s expansive plans and others arguing the bill undermines fiscal conservatism.
Massie, known for his libertarian stance, has been one of the most vocal Republican critics of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” arguing it fails to deliver meaningful spending cuts while expanding government programs. He also criticized Trump’s military strikes on Iran, calling them unconstitutional, and teamed up with Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna to push a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at preventing U.S. escalation in the region.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is reportedly working to unseat Massie by recruiting challengers for the Kentucky primary. Despite this, Massie’s campaign has shown fundraising strength, announcing it raised over $177,000 in one week, exceeding $230,000 by Friday.
“The political calculus that both the president and AIPAC have to consider is, if they go after me and lose, they’ve lost a lot of credibility—both of them,” Massie told the Daily Caller.
While Massie has signaled he could support a scaled-down version of Trump’s bill, he remains opposed to the current package for failing to address government waste and excessive spending. This stance has resonated with voters in his district who remain wary of increasing federal debt, even under a Republican administration.
Trump has pledged to find a primary challenger to replace Massie, framing him as an obstructionist standing in the way of his second-term agenda. The “Big Beautiful Bill” includes sweeping tax cuts, infrastructure investments, and increased border security funding, with Trump arguing it is essential for delivering on promises made to American voters.
The public feud between Musk and Trump underscores shifting alliances within conservative politics, with Musk’s support giving Massie a high-profile ally who commands significant reach among tech audiences and conservative libertarians. It also adds another layer of unpredictability to the 2026 primary season, where Trump-backed candidates are expected to face off against Republicans questioning the party’s future.
Musk’s move signals that internal debates over spending, foreign policy, and the GOP’s direction will continue to shape its identity heading into 2026. While Trump’s influence remains strong, challenges from figures like Massie, backed by powerful voices like Musk, show a brewing fight over the party’s long-term priorities.
As the midterms approach, this GOP family battle is poised to test Trump’s hold on the party while giving conservatives a choice about what the next chapter of Republican leadership should look like. With the billionaire stepping in, the stakes for 2026 just got higher.
