How Trump’s Clash Led Elon Musk to Change His Number: Insights from Speaker Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed on the Pod Force One podcast on July 16, 2025, that Elon Musk changed his phone number following a public feud with President Donald Trump over the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, a massive tax-and-spending bill passed on July 4, 2025. Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said he sent Musk a lengthy text message to reconcile him with Trump, only to discover the messages were undelivered due to Musk’s new number. “I realized I was sending it out into the ether somewhere and he never read it,” Johnson told the New York Post’s Miranda Devine.
He expressed hope for a future in-person meeting to mend ties, noting Musk’s frustration with the bill’s provisions, including its handling of electric vehicle policies and its projected $2.4 trillion deficit increase over a decade.
The feud, which erupted in May 2025, saw Musk denounce the bill as a “disgusting abomination” and announce his America Party to counter both Republicans and Democrats. Despite a brief easing of tensions—Musk expressed regret on June 11, and Trump claimed “no hard feelings”—the rift persists, with Musk’s actions like changing his number signaling a deliberate distancing from the administration.
📱 Why It Matters
- House Speaker Mike Johnson, on the “Pod Force One” podcast, revealed that after Musk criticized the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” his phone number stopped working—leaving Johnson’s messages “into the ether” with no reply.
- The bill—which raised the U.S. debt ceiling and rolled back certain EV incentives—sparked Musk’s sharp public condemnation and incited back-and-forth public attacks between him and Trump.
🧭 Fallout from the Spat
| Element | Insight |
|---|---|
| Communication blackout | Musk’s number change stopped direct contact with Johnson, though some outreach continued through intermediaries . |
| Strained alliances | The dispute marked a clear fracture among Musk, Trump, and GOP leadership, prompting questions about political loyalty and influence . |
| Possible cooling off | Johnson said he hopes to reconnect with Musk, acknowledging agreement on fiscal matters even as broader reconciliation remains uncertain . |
✅ Bottom Line
In response to his public critique of Trump’s bill, Elon Musk changed his phone number—effectively ghosting House Speaker Mike Johnson. This move highlights a growing rift between Musk and key Republican figures, even as shared concerns over government spending linger. Johnson has signaled hope for future rapprochement, but the bruised relationship remains fragile.
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