Elon Musk spending bill/ Trump rejects funding deal/ Mike Johnson shutdown plan/ government funding deadline/ congressional spending chaos/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Elon Musk’s influence over the incoming Trump administration is under scrutiny after his vocal opposition to a bipartisan spending bill led President-elect Donald Trump to reject the deal. House Speaker Mike Johnson is now exploring a “clean” stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown.
Musk Sparks Spending Bill Showdown: Quick Looks
- Musk’s Influence: Billionaire Elon Musk calls on Republicans to block a bipartisan spending bill.
- Trump’s Reversal: President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejects the deal, aligning with Musk’s demands.
- Legislation at Stake: The bill includes over $100 billion in disaster aid and other provisions.
- Government Shutdown Looms: House Speaker Mike Johnson considers a simplified funding measure to avert a shutdown.
- Political Fallout: Critics, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, accuse Musk of overstepping and running the government.
Elon Musk Sparks Spending Bill Chaos in Congress
Deep Look
Elon Musk’s growing political influence came under intense scrutiny this week as his opposition to a bipartisan spending bill helped derail the legislation just days before a government funding deadline.
The controversy erupted after Musk, owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X, voiced strong disapproval of the $1.5 trillion spending package, calling it “outrageous” in a post on his platform. His remarks aligned closely with President-elect Donald Trump’s sudden rejection of the deal, creating chaos on Capitol Hill as lawmakers scrambled to prevent a government shutdown.
Musk’s Influence
Musk has been a prominent figure in Trump’s political orbit. Trump tapped Musk to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, tasking them with slashing federal programs and regulations.
Ramaswamy joined the chorus, posting his own critique of the bill’s size and scope.
Trump Joins the Push
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance backed Musk’s stance, urging Republicans to reject the bill and pursue a “clean” stopgap measure paired with a debt ceiling hike. Trump’s reversal marked a sharp departure from the previously negotiated agreement supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
The dramatic shift has put Johnson in a precarious position as he scrambles to find an alternative solution.
Fallout Among Republicans
The GOP’s about-face has created internal tensions. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie announced he would not support Johnson for a second term as speaker, throwing Johnson’s leadership into question as the new Congress prepares to convene.
Broader Political Criticism
Musk’s sway over the incoming administration has drawn sharp rebukes from Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., referred to Musk as “President Elon Musk” and decried his influence over government decisions. “Billionaires must not be allowed to run our government,” Sanders said.
Musk’s critics argue that his role in derailing the spending bill demonstrates how corporate power can influence legislative priorities, particularly when tied to a political leader.
What’s Next?
With the government facing a shutdown on Friday, Johnson is reportedly exploring a “clean CR” (continuing resolution) that would strip out contentious provisions from the larger package. The original bill included more than $100 billion in federal disaster aid and other key initiatives.
The House Speaker’s leadership will be tested as he navigates both the shutdown threat and his own bid to maintain control of the Republican caucus ahead of next month’s speakership vote.
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