Trump ally Laura Loomer says Republican law makers wondering if they should side with President Trump or Elon Musk; Tesla CEO responds: Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I ...

The escalating feud between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk has reached a critical juncture, with

Republican lawmakers

now questioning their loyalties as the two most powerful figures in conservative politics engage in an unprecedented public battle over Trump's signature domestic policy bill.Trump ally

Laura Loomer

reported Thursday that GOP legislators are actively debating whether to support the president or the Tesla CEO. "I know lawmakers who are asking if they should side with President

Trump

or Elon," Loomer posted on social media. "I've been on the hill all day and it's all anyone is talking about. The most powerful man in the world vs the richest man in the world."Musk's response was characteristically provocative, telling Loomer: "One thing's for sure, it ain't boring!" He then delivered what appears to be a veiled threat to Republican politicians weighing their options: "Oh and some food for thought as they ponder this question: Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years."

Musk claims credit for Trump's Presidential election victory

The public rupture intensified Thursday when Musk explicitly took credit for Trump's 2024 election victory after the president expressed disappointment in his former adviser. "Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate," Musk wrote on X. "Such ingratitude."Trump had earlier told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that he was "very disappointed in Elon" and that he had "helped Elon a lot." The president accused Musk of opposing the legislation only after Republicans removed electric vehicle subsidies that would benefit Tesla."He had no problem with it. All of a sudden, he had a problem. And he only developed the problem when he found out that we're going to have to cut the EV mandate because that's billions and billions of dollars," Trump said.

Battle over 'Big Beautiful Bill' escalates

The conflict centers on Trump's massive domestic policy bill, which Musk has repeatedly attacked as a "disgusting abomination" that will increase the federal deficit. Musk has urged Americans to "KILL THE BILL," arguing it doesn't cut government spending deeply enough despite projections it will remove health coverage from millions.Trump disputed Musk's claim that he wasn't consulted on the legislation, stating: "Elon knew the inner workings of this bill, better than almost anybody sitting here." Musk fired back on X: "False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!"The president also mocked Musk's appearance, referencing the billionaire's recent black eye and suggesting he might be developing "Trump Derangement Syndrome." Trump compared Musk to other former advisers who "become hostile" after leaving his administration, noting that "some of them actually become hostile" when "the glamour's gone."