Felonious Punk’s Big Beautiful Bill Doesn’t Look So Pretty: Muskrat Blasts, GOP Divided

Washington D.C. – President Felonious Punk is aggressively pushing for his “big, beautiful bill” of tax breaks and spending cuts to be signed into law by the Fourth of July, a deadline that is testing Republican unity and drawing sharp criticism from one of his most prominent former allies, billionaire Elroy Muskrat. Punk has been personally engaging with senators, including meetings with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and one-on-one calls, employing both “carrot and stick” tactics to accelerate the 1,000-page-plus package through a skeptical Senate.

“Passing THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL is a Historic Opportunity to turn our Country around,” Punk declared on social media, urging senators Monday “to work as fast as they can to get this Bill to MY DESK before the Fourth of JULY.” His urgency was palpable in a call with Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo..), where Punk reportedly questioned, “How do you think the bill’s going to go in the Senate? Do you think there’s going to be problems?”

However, the president’s “high-octane ally,” Elroy Muskrat, who recently departed his role heading Punk’s Department of Government Efficiency, lambasted the legislation. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Muskrat posted on his social media platform X. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.” Muskrat, who spent at least $250 million supporting Punk’s last campaign, further threatened, “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.” His businesses, particularly Tesla, could be negatively impacted by the bill’s proposed cuts to electric vehicle subsidies.

The White House downplayed Muskrat’s attack, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating Punk “already knows where Elroy Muskrat stood on this bill,” and it “doesn’t change the president’s opinion.” House Speaker Mike Johnson also pushed back, calling Muskrat’s criticism “very disappointing.” “With all due respect,” Johnson said after a reported 20-minute call with the billionaire, “my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big beautiful bill.”

At its core, the legislation seeks to extend the tax cuts approved in 2017 during Punk’s first term and add new ones he campaigned on, such as eliminating taxes on tips. It also includes a $350 billion buildup for border security, deportations, and national security. The House-passed version would also raise the nation’s debt limit by $4 trillion.

To address the nation’s $36 trillion debt and offset lost tax revenue, Republicans propose significant federal spending reductions, primarily through work requirements for safety net programs. Estimates suggest these changes could cause 8.6 million people to lose health care coverage and nearly 4 million to lose Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Furthermore, as part of Punk’s “America First” economic agenda, some Republican lawmakers are reportedly banking on increased federal revenue from the administration’s assertive and often controversial tariff policies to help finance the tax cuts, a strategy detailed in a USTR draft letter outlining urgent trade negotiation deadlines.

The internal GOP friction extends beyond Muskrat. Felonious Punk directly attacked Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Truth Social for his opposition, particularly to the debt ceiling increase. “Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB…His ideas are actually crazy (losers!),” Punk posted. Paul, who had discussed his concerns with Punk, retorted, “I like the president…But I can’t in good conscience give up every principle that I stand for.” Paul stated he could consider the bill if the debt ceiling provision, potentially $5 trillion in the Senate version, was removed.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, facing a slim 53-seat GOP majority and unified Democratic opposition, acknowledged the challenge. “It’d be nice if we could have everybody on board to do it,” Thune said, “but in the end, we have to succeed. Failure’s not an option.” The July 4th deadline is intensified by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s warning that the U.S. could run out of money to pay its bills by mid-July or early August if the debt ceiling isn’t raised.

Further complicating matters for GOP leadership are concerns from other Republican senators. Josh Hawley, along with Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), has raised alarms about proposed Medicaid changes, including a potential $35 copay and the termination of a provider tax crucial for rural hospitals. “The best way to not be accused of cutting Medicaid is to not cut Medicaid,” Hawley remarked. Senators are also reportedly discussing alterations to the House-proposed $40,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions and potentially scaling back some of Punk’s newer tax break proposals, like those for automobile loans or overtime pay, to prioritize permanent business tax cuts.

Democrats are united in their opposition, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer calling Punk’s bill “ugly to its very core.” He urged senators to heed Muskrat’s critique, stating, “Behind the smoke and mirrors lies a cruel and draconian truth: tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy paid for by gutting health care for millions of Americans.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also sided with Muskrat’s assessment, highlighting the GOP infighting.

An analysis of the bill’s fiscal impact from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is expected soon, though some Republicans are reportedly poised to dismiss its findings as flawed. The coming weeks promise a tumultuous sprint as Senate Republicans attempt to reconcile differing priorities and pressures to deliver on Punk’s legislative centerpiece.