Speaker Mike Johnson, who is typically upbeat, voiced his support for President Donald Trump on Sunday, while distancing himself from billionaire Elon Musk. disrupt
Republican leaders in the House and Trump’s supporters have criticized Musk for the GOP’s Tax and Budget Policy Bill. However, this did not deter him, as he minimized the influence of Musk on the Republican-led council.
“I didn’t set out to create laws that cater to the world’s richest individual,” Johnson stated on ABC’s “This Week.” “Our goal is to support hardworking Americans who are striving to provide for their families and reach their aspirations,” he emphasized.
Johnson mentioned that the government chief under Trump exchanged messages with Musk due to his opposition to the GOP bill.
Musk labeled it “hate” and added it to the list of contributions to US debt, which threatens economic stability. He urged voters to voice their disapproval on Capitol Hill regarding pending measures in the Senate after they passed the House. His critiques incited furious responses on social media along with Trump expressing over the weekend to reporters that he wasn’t interested in repairing his relationship with Musk.
Johnson refuted suggestions that Musk’s influence poses a threat to Republican opponents (D-Democrats) who back Trump’s legislation.
“We seldom receive calls from our offices, which are Republican members of Congress,” Johnson remarked. “I think this indicates people are waiting to see the stance. Some of his points may resonate with me, but the majority understand this is an exciting piece of legislation.”
Johnson contended that Musk remains convinced that “our policies are more beneficial for human prosperity. They are advantageous for the US economy and for everyone involved in innovation, job creation, and entrepreneurship.”
Johnson and other Republicans, including the budget director from Trump’s White House, continued to argue against forecasts that tax and budget proposals would add to the annual deficit, which has already increased to $40 trillion.
Johnson challenged Musk’s claims, asserting that he had misleading information. He questioned the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office’s estimates regarding budget legislation. The bill aims to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, reduce spending, and lower other taxes, but it is projected to leave around 10.9 million individuals without health insurance and increase deficits by $2.4 trillion over 10 years, according to the CBO’s analysis.
The legislators opposed the Republican narrative that I’ve heard for years: Low taxes and spending reductions will stimulate economic growth, leading to decreasing deficits. The overall annual debt that accumulated between the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush has actually increased. During Trump’s first term, this continued even after tax cuts were implemented.
Russell Vert, who leads the White House’s budget management office, stated on Fox News that CBO analysts operate from a “artificial baseline” model. He argued that the 2017 tax legislation anticipated a low tax rate would expire, and CBO’s cost estimates assumed a return to higher tax rates prior to the law taking effect.
He recognized that the CBO’s assessments from Congress were to evaluate both existing and proposed laws. However, he suggested that the office could provide additional analyses favorable to the GOP’s objectives. When asked if the White House would seek an alternative estimate, he reiterated that it is Congress’s prerogative for the office to publish further analyses.
Meanwhile, other Republicans have taken a measured approach regarding the dispute between Trump and Musk.
“As a former professional fighter, I’ve learned long ago: Don’t get between two fighters,” remarked Oklahoma Sen. Mark Wayne Marin during a segment on CNN’s “All Powers.”
He likened the two billionaire businessmen to a married couple.
“President Trump is my friend, but I don’t need to intervene. I can have friends that occasionally disagree,” Marin explained. “My wife and I share a deep love, but there are times we oppose each other; that doesn’t detract from our focus on what’s best for our family.
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Associated Press journalist Gary Fields contributed from Washington.
Source: apnews.com