Kentucky lawmakers respond to Trump-Musk feud, LA protests, and the 'big, beautiful bill'

President Donald Trump's signature spending bill and the accompanying feud with billionaire Elon Musk have sparked a variety of responses from Kentucky legislators on Capitol Hill.

On the Republican side of the aisle, Congressman and US Senate candidate Andy Barr has been and remains a strong backer of the multi-trillion dollar bill.

"My message to senators right now is vote with President Trump and deliver this tax relief and this big, beautiful bill," he said after the measure narrowly cleared his chamber.

Barr has maintained the bill will spur major economic growth, but the proposed spending and debt increases have proved to be more than speed bumps for fellow Kentucky lawmakers Rand Paul and Thomas Massie.

Pressed on the Trump-Musk feud, Paul said he understands the tech mogul's criticisms.

"We both seem to be on the same wavelength and that we're very, very skeptical," the senator told reporters.

Even more doubtful is Congressman Thomas Massie, one of the few GOP "no" votes on the key Trump legislation.

"I think that patient is on life support," Massie said. "And if the Senate thinks they're going to rehabilitate it and and rewrite it, I think they're endangering this patient because people over here are now looking for more reasons to be against it."

Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Morgan McGarvey urged Kentuckians to avoid getting distracted by the Washington intrigue and keep their eye on spending cuts to safety net programs.

"So while they're arguing over private jets and rocket ships, do not forget what this does and don't get distracted," he said. "Let's kill that bill."

According to a new CBS YouGov poll, 47% of respondents believe the Trump bill would hurt the middle class, and 54% say it would negatively impact low-income Americans.

As President Donald Trump deploys thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, the state's most outspoken Republicans in Washington sound mostly supportive — though differences over border spending are simmering.

Responding to the California clashes on X, Barr posted images of a protester waving a Mexican flag and another of Trump pumping his fist after an assassination attempt last July, adding, "There are two visions for America. Choose carefully. Which side are you on?"

Addressing border control more generally, Sen. Paul told Fox News new proposed border spending is excessive.

"I would hire some new people. I would give some bonuses. I'd probably do half as much as what they're asking for because the border is largely controlled right now," the senator told Fox News "And what we don't want is, when we wind up looking back at this, having an army of border patrol agents that we have on the the hook for payments and pensions and everything else. We need to do it judiciously and not in a reckless manner."

Congressman Massie wrote that he "condemns the violence in LA, supports a stronger border, and deporting criminals." But he also pushed back on critics who say he and Paul want to spend less on border security.