House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) found himself navigating treacherous waters to secure a bipartisan budget deal that extended government funding through March. According to a Washington Post report, Johnson’s decision to negotiate with Democrats not only angered members of his own caucus but also blindsided Donald Trump, prompting a social media storm from billionaire adviser Elon Musk.
The report details how, during the Army-Navy game the previous weekend, Trump believed he had made his expectations for the budget clear. Johnson, however, struck a deal that required concessions to Democrats, angering far-right Republicans. Lawmakers erupted in frustration when Johnson presented the bipartisan proposal during a Tuesday morning meeting.
“Lawmakers were irate when Johnson laid out details about his bicameral and bipartisan proposal,” the Washington Post reported. Ways and Means Chairman Jason T. Smith (R-Missouri) reportedly exclaimed, “Not true,” when Johnson described the process as collaborative.
Adding to the chaos, sources claimed Johnson had been in regular communication with Trump about the negotiations. However, one Trump adviser stated the former president-elect was “blindsided” by the bill’s contents and “furious.” Compounding the tension, Trump encouraged Elon Musk to take action against the proposed budget.
“Several people close to Johnson say the speaker talked frequently with the president-elect and kept him abreast of ongoing negotiations,” the report explained. “But another Trump adviser described him as blindsided by the bill’s contents and furious. The first adviser said the president-elect was with Musk at the time, and Trump told NBC he encouraged Musk to post messages condemning the bill.”
Trump reportedly acknowledged his role in encouraging Musk’s social media campaign. “I told him that if he agreed with me, he could make a statement,” Trump said. Musk responded by flooding X (formerly Twitter) with over a hundred posts attacking the deal.
This flurry of posts sent Republicans scrambling to revise the final budget package, which ultimately passed with Democratic support. The fallout left far-right members of the Republican caucus enraged, further straining party unity.
The controversy underscores the growing influence of Trump and his allies on House leadership, as well as the ongoing struggles for unity within the Republican Party amid high-stakes negotiations.