Conservative Commentator puts head in trash bin to show how Republicans feel about Trump-Musk feud

Washington, D.C. — CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings offered a dramatic visual metaphor on Thursday to express Republican frustration over the escalating public feud between former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

During a panel discussion on The Lead with Jake Tapper, Jennings placed his head inside a nearby trash can, saying it reflected how many in the Republican Party felt amid the growing rift.

“Let me just tell you what every Republican is doing,” Jennings said. “Here’s where we are today. Heads are in the garbage can right now. That’s the state of everybody I know at the moment.”

The feud was sparked earlier in the week after Musk sharply criticized Trump’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” calling it a “disgusting abomination” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Musk, who served as head of the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and was previously a vocal Trump ally, appeared to distance himself from the former president over the legislation.

The disagreement quickly escalated on social media, culminating in Musk suggesting that Trump’s name appears in documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a claim that intensified the public spat.

Following his lighthearted gesture, Jennings took a more serious tone, lamenting the division between two high-profile figures in the Republican sphere.

“Not gonna lie. It’s an ugly day, and, you know, you hate it when your friends are fighting,” Jennings said. “I continue to believe that their partnership last year saved America, and I also continue to believe their goals are not mutually exclusive.”

He urged Republican leaders and influencers to find common ground and warned that Democrats are benefiting from the GOP infighting.

“Hopefully, cooler heads will soon prevail, and the president can get his agenda and Elon can convince the Republicans that the debt is a serious problem,” Jennings said.

The feud has drawn national attention and added fresh tension within Republican ranks at a time when the party is attempting to solidify its direction heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

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