Elon Musk’s growing influence over U.S. politics is causing a stir, particularly among Republicans, who are starting to panic as a revolt against the billionaire intensifies. Musk’s actions—particularly his role in overseeing sweeping government cuts and his increasingly bizarre public behavior—are sparking fierce backlash that is “hauntingly familiar” to some.
A key point of contention is Musk directing massive layoffs of federal workers and budget cuts through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). One example was seen at a town hall held by Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), where he was blasted by an angry crowd of constituents for backing Musk’s cuts to essential services. Among those affected were 1,300 workers at the Centers for Disease Control.
A Democratic strategist, Matt Bennett, compared the uproar to the early days of the Tea Party movement, when lawmakers faced similar public outbursts. “This is hauntingly familiar,” he said. “The cuts Musk is pushing will affect things people need and rely on, and it’s only going to get worse.”
Indeed, as the effects of Musk’s cuts become more apparent, even Republicans are starting to feel the heat. Bennett predicted that more lawmakers would face vocal criticism from their constituents, especially as cuts hit programs like the 9/11 first responder fund. “Republicans are going to get an earful when they go home,” Bennett warned. “They’re creating unemployment and cutting essential services that people desperately need.”
Some Republicans are already beginning to speak out. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) publicly voiced his concerns, stating that decisions about government cuts and agency eliminations should be made by Congress, not by Musk or President Trump.
“Congress has to decide whether or not the Department of Education goes away,” Balderson said. His words reflect a growing unease within the GOP, as Musk’s influence continues to grow without any formal democratic checks, especially given that he was never elected or confirmed for a government position.
Musk’s behavior isn’t just a concern behind closed doors—his public actions are making matters worse. At a recent CPAC appearance, Musk took the stage holding a chainsaw, an image that quickly became a symbol of his destructive influence on government services. Political analyst Elisabeth Bumiller noted that this “chainsaw” moment would be used by Democrats to further attack Republicans already on the defensive about Musk’s cuts. “That photograph of Elon Musk with the chainsaw… that’s political,” Bumiller said, adding that it would only fuel growing tensions.
As Musk’s role in government continues to expand and his public behavior grows more erratic, it’s clear that the billionaire’s influence is becoming a major political problem—one that Republicans are struggling to address.
For more on the issue, watch the videos below from MSNBC.
