President Donald Trump’s atypical reaction to criticism of his budget bill by Elon Musk has one media host floating a theory about the subdued response.
Newsmax host Carl Higbie believes there is something behind Trump not exploding at Musk after he criticized his signature bill, suggesting on “Carl Higbie Frontline” Wednesday that the president is trying to “tank his own bill.”
“I know Trump supported this bill, but we also know that he is not thrilled about the final product,” Higbie said in his monologue before he launched his “theory.”
“I think Trump might be working in tandem with Elon here to tank his own bill in a 4D chess move.”@CarlHigbie weighs in on the controversy over the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ pic.twitter.com/rayd0lvPNs
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) June 4, 2025
“This is just my theory…I’m just gonna roll with it. I think Trump might be working in tandem with Elon here to tank his own bill in a 4D chess move,” he said.
“Just a theory. My reasoning? I mean, how many people in the history of ever — like Trump’s entire political career of the last decade — have come out against something Trump wants, and when has Trump just not gone off and completely obliterated them on a global scale?” he wondered.
He pointed out examples such as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), saying Trump “ruined” the governor’s presidential career after he said something negative. He also pointed out how Trump is supporting a primary against Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) who has, with the exception of the “big, bautiful bill,” been mostly aligned with the president’s policies.
“So why hasn’t Trump said anything negative about Elon?” Higbie asked.
“Maybe Trump is also reading the country that’s not thrilled about massive deficits that this creates and saying, ‘Ooh, maybe I shouldn’t have settled for what the Congress gave me. So let’s put Congress in the hot seat and force it back to the drawing board,’” he added.
“Is it crazy to think?” Higbie speculated.
Many on social media expressed agreement with the Newsmax host.
That could be the end game, time will tell.
— John Wodarski (@johnnbucks50) June 4, 2025
Agreed. They know exactly what they are doing
— Chris Shearer (@slappypalooza) June 5, 2025
Bingo!
— WAGIRLFREE (@WAGIRLFREE) June 5, 2025
If Trump were in disagreement with Elon, he’d speak up.
— Formerly Aloft (@FormerlyAloft) June 5, 2025
Others, however, were still skeptical.
Nobody believes that. The 4D chess narrative is getting old quickly.
— ACosmo (@acedawg22) June 5, 2025
Not buying it.
— TF (@SBLvibes) June 5, 2025
