Nervous Republicans flee Trump-Elon Musk blast radius

The bromance may be dead, but Republicans worry that an escalating feud between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk could live on, leaving collateral damage in its wake for weeks, months or even years.

The bromance may be dead, but Republicans worry that an escalating feud between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk could live on, leaving collateral damage in its wake for weeks, months or even years.

The proximate cause is the centerpiece of Trump's agenda, the "big, beautiful bill," which Musk is trashing publicly and privately. To try to kill the legislation, he has said he will spend money to oust Republican lawmakers who vote for it.

“He does not give a f--- about Republicans or the RNC, or House seats, or whatever,” a Musk adviser said Thursday in the middle of a social media war between Trump and Musk, who had never aligned with the Republican Party until the last few years. The adviser was given anonymity to speak candidly about the blow-up. “He will blow them up; he will. ... I mean, we already know Republicans are going to lose the House. Senate will likely be fine, but Elon does not give a s--- about that party stuff."

Republican lawmakers care a lot — especially when it comes to their own congressional seats and chairmanships, which would be in danger if Musk tried to oust them from power in next year's midterm elections.

In interviews with GOP lawmakers and operatives with ties to Congress, a clear theme emerged: Republicans should be scared of getting crosswise with either Trump or Musk — a tough task when they are slinging mud, insults and threats at each other.