Elon Musk threatened to primary every member of Congress who votes in favor of President Donald Trump’s tax and budget package, stating it will increase the national debt, hurt the economy and destroy millions of jobs. In a thread posted on X, Musk also said it’s time for a new political party “that actually cares about people.”
“It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!” Musk wrote.
Musk said if the bill passes, he will form the “America Party” the next day. He said it will be an alternative to the “Democrat-Republican uniparty.”
“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 continued. “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
Musk then called out the House Freedom Caucus (HFC), a fiscally conservative group that says it adamantly opposes any legislation that adds to the national debt.
“How can you call yourself the Freedom Caucus if you vote for a DEBT SLAVERY bill with the biggest debt ceiling increase in history?” Musk wrote.
He specifically pointed to Reps. Andy Harris, R-Md., and Chip Roy, R-Texas, the chairman and policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus. The HFC supported the House’s version of the package when it passed May 22. They are now threatening to withhold their support because they believe the Senate made too many changes.
In a statement, the Freedom Caucus said the Senate’s bill adds $651 billion to the deficit and that the chamber must do better.
“That’s not fiscal responsibility. It’s not what we agreed to,” the Freedom Caucus said in a statement. “The Senate must make major changes and should at least be in the ballpark of compliance with the agreed upon House budget framework.”
What role does the Freedom Caucus play?
The Freedom Caucus has a lot of power here. Since Republicans are working to pass this legislation without any Democratic support, they can only lose three votes to get it across the finish line. The Freedom Caucus has more than 30 members. They have a lot of leverage to force leadership into making changes.
Republicans are trying to get this bill approved before their self-imposed July 4 deadline. Once the bill comes out of the Senate, it needs to be approved as is by the House. If they make any changes, it will have to be sent back to the Senate.
