Greg Sargent of The New Republic has analyzed President-elect Donald Trump’s recent personnel decisions and concluded that they may create significant political challenges for congressional Republicans. In particular, Trump’s move to empower X owner Elon Musk with a new “Department of Government Efficiency” could force House Speaker Mike Johnson and his GOP colleagues into a politically precarious position.
During a discussion with congressional scholar Norm Ornstein, Sargent argued that Musk’s role in driving large spending cuts will put Republicans in a difficult spot. These proposed cuts, Sargent predicts, will likely target popular government programs, creating tension within the Republican base.
“Either Elon Musk is allowed to proceed with these immense spending cuts that completely screw Trump voters in all kinds of ways, or Trump has to neuter Musk and then that creates a whole different problem with MAGA,” Sargent writes. “It seems like the conflict between Musk and Republicans is unavoidable and, either way is a looming fiasco for the MAGA movement.”
Ornstein echoed Sargent’s concerns, suggesting that Trump may have underestimated Musk’s independent power and influence. By granting Musk an official role, Trump has effectively aligned himself with the billionaire’s controversial agenda and communications platform.
“He is handcuffed to the richest man in the history of the world who has his own powerful communications network that now has a huge following in MAGA,” Ornstein writes. “And if Elon Musk is dumped by Trump, Musk, who of course wants to be the alpha male—he’s always been the alpha male, and Trump doesn’t want another alpha male around him—he could make real trouble for Trump.”
The potential fallout could be significant, with Musk’s actions potentially alienating key Republican constituencies. At the same time, any attempt by Trump to sideline Musk could lead to public clashes between the two powerful figures.
“So you’ve got Musk screwing with congressional Republicans, and Musk then screwing with Trump,” Ornstein adds. “It’s hard to see how all of that works out into a set of happy marriages.”
As Republicans prepare to govern in the new administration, the relationship between Trump, Musk, and congressional leaders could shape the party’s political future. Observers agree that the dynamics at play are likely to generate conflicts that may undermine both Trump’s presidency and the broader MAGA movement.