'Massive crack in the MAGA coalition': The Trump-Musk feud threatens the GOP's future

Elon Musk has seemingly declared war on the GOP, putting the party’s grip on power in jeopardy.

Once the single largest donor to Republican causes, Musk has shifted from supporting their ascendancy in Washington—with a staggering $300 million contribution last year—to publicly lambasting top party officials and challenging their loyalty.

“Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years,” Musk stated on X, signaling a clear warning from the wealthiest individual on the planet, who possesses the financial clout to profoundly influence elections. Not too long ago, Republicans viewed Musk as a financial ally in their quest to maintain dominance in Washington, but he is now emerging as a formidable opponent.

On Thursday, Musk took to social media to criticize President Donald Trump regarding a substantial tax-and-spending bill, arguing that it fails to adequately reduce government expenditures.

He had already threatened to challenge Republicans backing the megabill; that day, he further targeted House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, while also taking credit for the Republican trifecta victory in November and hinting at the possibility of starting a third party.

“This represents a significant fissure in the MAGA coalition,” remarked Matthew Bartlett, a GOP strategist and former Trump appointee. “Historically, this town has revolved around Republican versus Democrat, but now it feels like crazy versus crazy. For the first time, it seems Trump is being out-crazied.”

Just weeks prior, Republicans were still singing Musk’s praises for his financial support in the 2024 election, optimistic that he would gracefully recede into the private sector following his role in the administration’s federal spending cuts initiative. Less than a week ago, Musk was in the Oval Office with Trump, celebrating his tenure as a special government employee.

However, that amiable exit quickly proved illusory.

“Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave,” Trump posted on Truth Social, attributing Musk’s agitation to the elimination of electric vehicle tax credits in the megabill. “He just went CRAZY!”

As Musk’s drama unfolded, congressional Republicans largely sought to evade the fallout. Key GOP figures from both chambers aimed to mitigate any potential repercussions on the party’s domestic policy agenda and its stance for the midterms.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), leading the House GOP campaign arm, expressed hope that the conflict would “blow over.” Prior to the escalation, Hudson had remarked that Musk had “been a friend” but was “just wrong about this bill.”

Even fiscal conservatives who had previously echoed Musk’s concerns about the bill chose to sidestep the situation. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who had once threatened to derail the megabill for its perceived lack of fiscal responsibility, stated, “Elon crossed the line today… we’ll let those guys go play it out.”

“I don’t disagree with him regarding the necessity for spending cuts,” Roy added, but insisted that Musk should “keep it within bounds.”

Another hard-liner, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), suggested that Musk was losing his influence within MAGA, describing him as “just another shiny object” that the party would manage.

Nonetheless, Musk appears determined to escalate his opposition to the legislation into a civil war within the party. He amplified support for two Kentucky Republicans, Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Rand Paul, who have consistently challenged Trump and GOP leadership in their efforts to pass the bill.

While Musk once provided substantial financial backing, he has also been a source of electoral complications for Republicans. His popularity has dipped below Trump’s, and his most significant political endeavor this year — the Wisconsin Supreme Court race — concluded with the conservative candidate losing by nearly 10 points.

“Elon couldn’t buy a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat. Do you really think people are going to be intimidated by this cash?” remarked an anonymous source close to the White House.

As Musk’s star wanes, Republicans are left questioning the durability of his alliance with Trump. On Thursday, Musk severed those ties.

He launched a barrage of accusations at Trump, claiming he lied, responding “yes” to a suggestion that he should be impeached, and alleging a cozy relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, who faced sex trafficking allegations.

“What a predictable circus,” commented an insider who has been privy to conversations between Musk and Trump. “Trump is a liar, and it was clear that Elon wouldn’t tolerate his constant deceit indefinitely.”

The Republican Party, now on edge, is scrambling to assess the electoral implications of this fallout, beginning with next year’s midterms.

Two of Trump’s leading campaign operatives, Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio, have already aligned themselves with Musk’s Building America’s Future PAC. However, Musk’s scorched-earth approach may lead to conflicting loyalties.

Privately, some Republicans contend they have already been strategizing for next year’s elections without Musk’s financial input and expressed dissatisfaction that America PAC—the tech mogul’s super PAC—failed to allocate its resources effectively in House races last year.

America PAC invested $19.2 million supporting GOP candidates in 18 battleground House races last year, as per Federal Election Commission data. Republicans clinched victory in 10 of those contests, but those were among the most high-profile and costly races nationwide. Musk’s contributions accounted for a mere 12 percent of Republican external spending in these contests, with the Congressional Leadership Fund remaining the dominant GOP super PAC.

“What Elon possesses is money, and if he’s not going to infuse $100 million into the midterms, that leaves a gap that needs to be filled,” stated Chris Mottola, a GOP media consultant. “On the flip side, there are questions regarding the effectiveness of his financial contributions, as he directed them according to his preferences.”

In recent months, Musk has hinted at engaging in the midterms, yet he’s also asserted he would reduce political spending. If he intends to wage war against the party, he will need more than just financial resources.

“Are there sufficient competent Republican operatives willing to assist Elon Musk in his mission against the president?” pondered a former RNC official, requesting anonymity to speak freely. “Everyone has a price, but I doubt many are eager to aid Elon in further fracturing the Republican Party as the midterms approach.”

Contributions to this report were made by Lisa Kashinsky, Jessica Piper, Holly Otterbein, Dasha Burns, Nicholas Wu, Sophia Cai, Jordain Carney, and Meredith Lee Hill.