Speaker Johnson’s Text to Elon Musk Lost in Ether Amid Trump Feud

House Speaker Mike Johnson recently shared a curious tidbit about a communication mishap with tech titan Elon Musk, amid a highly publicized rift with President Donald Trump in 2025. Johnson disclosed that a detailed text message he sent to Musk was lost "in the ether" after the billionaire apparently changed his phone number following the fallout.

Speaking on a podcast with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine, Johnson, R-La., explained that he later discovered the number he had been texting was no longer Musk’s direct line. "I was sending it out into the ether somewhere, and he never read it," Johnson admitted, expressing his intent to meet Musk in person to clear the air. He emphasized his admiration for Musk’s achievements, stating, "I’ve got nothing against Elon, obviously. I’ve got great respect for what he’s done."

The backdrop to this personal disconnect mirrors a larger political clash. Musk and Trump, once close allies, saw their relationship crumble in May over Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Musk, who briefly led the Department of Government Efficiency to curb federal overspending, publicly opposed the legislation on X, criticizing its $5 trillion debt ceiling increase. Trump, in turn, suggested Musk’s opposition stemmed from the president’s decision to eliminate electric vehicle mandates and subsidies, directly impacting Musk’s Tesla empire. On June 12, Trump signed resolutions ending California’s restrictive diesel and EV sales rules, a move he celebrated as a permanent blow to such mandates.

Johnson, striving to play peacemaker, noted that Musk was kept in the loop about the bill for months. Yet, something shifted dramatically, leading to Musk’s sudden discontent—and now, talks of launching a new political party to challenge both Republicans and Democrats. Johnson hinted at "a multitude of factors" behind the rift, though he’s keeping his focus on moving forward.

As Trump signed the bill into law on July 4, promising an economic "rocket ship" with its tax cuts, the personal and political divides remain unresolved. Whether a face-to-face chat can mend the Musk-Johnson connection, or if larger reconciliations are on the horizon, only time will tell.