"People don't even like him": Musk becomes GOP pariah after "ridiculous" Trump attacks

Congressional Republicans are openly attacking Elon Musk like never before after the billionaire Tesla founder claimed President Trump is "in the Epstein files" and even called for him to be impeached.Why it matters: It's a stunning fall from grace for a man who flexed so much influence over Republican lawmakers just weeks — even days — earlier."This is absolutely childish and ridiculous. Enough of this nonsense," Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) said of Musk's comments, adding that the recently departed Trump lieutenant has "lost some of his gravitas.""Nobody elected Elon Musk, and a whole lot of people don't even like him, to be honest with you, even on both sides," said Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.).A spokesperson for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Driving the news: Musk initially focused his attacks on the massive GOP tax and spending cut legislation, arguing Tuesday that it doesn't go far enough in cutting the deficit.By Thursday, he turned his sights on Trump, claiming Trump is "in the Epstein files" and adding, "The truth will come out."He took his boldest step by responding to a post that said "Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him" with a single word: "Yes."What they're saying: "We're getting people calling our offices 100% in support of President Trump," said Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), a member of House GOP leadership."Every tweet that goes out, people are more lockstep behind President Trump and [Musk is] losing favor," Hern added.Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) said Musk is "starting to look a little crazy" and "was always an important voice, but ... it's going to be a lot more people weighing what Trump has to say than what Musk has to say."Between the lines: Musk's $420 billion net worth and ability to pour millions into any given GOP primary has been something of a Sword of Damocles for congressional Republicans since he entered politics.He has even signaled he supports primary challenges against the 215 House Republicans who voted for the bill. But now that it's Trump vs. Musk, Republican lawmakers privately say they're far more afraid of a Trump non-endorsement than they are of Musk's money.What we're hearing: "I would rather have Trump on my side," said one House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts on the electoral side of the Trump-Musk blowup.Said another: "On the value of Elon playing against us in primaries compared to Trump endorsing us in primaries, the latter is 100 times more relevant.""Elon can burn $5 million in a primary, but if Trump says 'that's the person Republicans should reelect,' it's a wasted $5 million," the lawmaker said.The intrigue: Even critics of Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" say Musk is undermining the substantive case he and others are trying to make against the legislation in its current form by turning to personal attacks."I think it undermines his effectiveness," said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). "I would not have recommended that."Others said Musk waited too long to weigh in: "It was disappointing to see Elon Musk's outrage, if you will, come when it did. We could've used his voice a couple weeks ago," said Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.).Yes, but: There remains a small rump caucus of Republicans who are willing to keep saying complimentary things about Musk — even at the risk of alienating Trump.Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a steadfast opponent of the bill who Trump has called to primary, said that while he doesn't support impeaching Trump, he still respects Musk."This is the language Trump speaks in. [Musk] is speaking it back to him," Massie said.Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) called Musk a "genius" and said "words, to me, don't matter. It's what he does."The bottom line: Republicans are finally acknowledging that this rift was foreseeable given the big personalities involved."You've got two high-profile, strong leaders. In some ways, this was probably bound to happen," said Norman.Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.) told Axios: "I think we all kind of knew that it was not going to end great."

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