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House Speaker Mike Johnson Shares Insight on Elon Musk’s Change of Phone Number Amid Trump Controversy
In a recent podcast interview, House Speaker Mike Johnson disclosed intriguing details about his communication with tech mogul Elon Musk during a tense period involving former President Donald Trump. Johnson revealed that a lengthy text he sent to Musk was ultimately delivered “into the ether” after Musk allegedly changed his phone number. This change occurred as tensions flared between Musk and Trump earlier in 2025.
Speaking to columnist Miranda Devine, Johnson explained, “I sent him a long text message, and then his phone number changed. After the blow-up, something happened with his …” The speaker trailed off, realizing that the number he had was no longer a working line to Musk.
“I got the number later and realized I was sending it out into the ether somewhere and he never read it,” Johnson added. He expressed eagerness to meet with Musk in person, stating, “We got to make that right. I’ve got nothing against Elon, obviously. I have great respect for what he’s done.”
High-Profile Cellphone Changes for Privacy and Security
It is common for high-profile figures, including celebrities and billionaires, to change their cell phone numbers for privacy and security reasons. This practice helps them avoid unwanted attention and protect their personal lives.
Keeping Musk Updated on Legislative Matters
Before the fallout, Johnson made efforts to keep Musk informed about crucial legislative initiatives, notably the proposed “big, beautiful bill.” He mentioned that he had met with Musk previously and sent other detailed text messages aiming to include him in ongoing discussions regarding the bill.
The Deterioration of Musk and Trump’s Relationship
The previously strong relationship between Musk and Trump deteriorated significantly in May 2025 when Trump promoted the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. During this time, Musk served as the public leader of the Department of Government Efficiency. This special government role allows an individual to work for the federal government for no more than 130 days within a given year.
Musk’s engagement with the government ended in May. Shortly afterward, he took to X, formerly Twitter, to rally Republican lawmakers against the legislation, which he criticized for proposing a $5 trillion increase to the U.S. debt ceiling.
Political Backlash Over Legislative Changes
In response, Trump accused Musk’s public denunciation of the legislation as being influenced by the former president’s decision to eliminate electric vehicle mandates and subsidies. Such amendments directly impact Musk’s Tesla corporation. On June 12, Trump signed several resolutions aimed at lifting California’s restrictive diesel engine rules and electric vehicle sales mandates. Trump celebrated, claiming that his signature would eliminate these mandates for good.
Musk’s Shift Towards a New Political Path
In the aftermath of this dispute, Musk has indicated intentions to establish a new political party, aimed at providing an alternative to the current Republican and Democratic frameworks.
Communication Challenges and Third-Party Responses
During his interview with Devine, Johnson noted that he did eventually receive a response from Musk through an intermediary, after he recognized that the tech billionaire’s phone number had likely changed. This indicates that despite the communication breakdown, there remains some degree of connection between the two.
Johnson pointed out that various factors likely contributed to the growing rift. Importantly, Musk was aware of the contents of the big, beautiful bill prior to its finalization earlier in the summer after a lengthy legislative process.
“But clearly, Musk got unhappy in a very short period of time,” Johnson noted. “He generally knew what we were doing. We talked about it for months, and I kept him apprised of it.”
Focused on Moving Forward
The House Speaker remains committed to his legislative goals and is attempting to play a peacemaking role amid the ongoing tensions. He stated, “I’ve got to keep my eyes on the prize and keep going forward.”
On July 4, Trump signed the legislation into law, asserting that the tax reductions would propel the U.S. economy to swift growth, likening the effects to a “rocket ship” as Americans began to feel the benefits.
As developments unfold, Fox News Digital has sought responses from both Musk and Johnson’s office, though no immediate replies have been forthcoming. This situation remains fluid, with communication and relationships between key figures in politics and business continuing to evolve.
