APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
Trump admin live updates: Trump says Musk will 'pay the consequences' if he funds Democrats
The president added that he "doesn't have to" try to repair their relationship.
A bitter public feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk erupted on Thursday, with the Tesla billionaire agreeing to calls for Trump's impeachment while Trump suggested ending Musk's government contracts.
Musk showed some signs of softening his tone, but Trump on Friday told ABC News Musk was a "man who has lost his mind" and that he was "not particularly" interested in talking to him right now.
The spat began in part because of Musk's criticism of Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a sweeping immigration and tax bill that would fund much of the president's domestic agenda.
Latest headlines:
Trump, Johnson meet at the White House
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., met with President Donald Trump at the White House Thursday afternoon, multiple sources told ABC News.
The meeting comes amid Trump's public fight with Elon Musk, stemming from issues with Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
The speaker earlier ignored questions upon his immediate return but then later gaggled with reporters, where he was asked a number of questions about his relationship with Musk and his thoughts on the Trump-Musk feud.
Johnson's family was also at the White House, sources said.
The White House has not responded to inquiries about the meeting.
-ABC News' Lauren Peller and Kelsey Walsh
Johnson calls Elon Musk a friend, says disagreement 'isn't personal'
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., downplayed Elon Musk's X posts and said the back-and-forth between him and the billionaire isn't "personal."
"Elon is a friend," the speaker told reporters while holding his chief of staff's baby.
"I've texted and called him this morning as we were scheduled to speak. We haven't yet. I sent a lot of information via text hoping he reads it -- and this isn't personal. Policy differences should not be personal," Johnson added.
Responding to questions about Musk's influence, Johnson said if anyone deserves credit for helping the House Republican Conference win the majority, it's the president.
"As somebody who traveled nonstop last year to win the House majority, I don't think any one person deserves credit, but if there is one person, it's Donald J. Trump," he said.
-ABC News' Arthur Jones II and Lauren Peller
'He should have done this months ago': Trump
President Donald Trump went to Truth Social again and stated he is not offended by Elon Musk's recent criticism.
"I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago," he said, adding compliments about the spending bill.
"I didn't create this mess, I'm just here to FIX IT," Trump added.
Johnson takes to X to defend Musk criticism
House Speaker Mike Johnson responded directly to Elon Musk's criticism in a post on X.
"Where is the Mike Johnson of 2023!?" Musk posted as he reshared a 2023 post where Johnson talked about concerns on the federal debt.
Johnson responded with a lengthy post.
"The Mike Johnson of 2023 is the SAME Mike Johnson who has always been a lifelong fiscal hawk - who now serves as Speaker and is implementing a multi-stage plan to get our country back to fiscal responsibility and extraordinary economic growth," he said.
"It begins with the critically important One Big Beautiful Bill that includes the LARGEST mandatory spending cut to the federal government in history (by almost 400%), the LARGEST tax cut in history, the LARGEST investment in border security in a GENERATION, along with arguably the STRONGEST collection of pro-growth provisions EVER passed, " Johnson added.
"The same CONSISTENT Mike Johnson who has ALWAYS supported the America First Agenda," the speaker concluded.