Elon Musk misinformation/ spending bill shutdown/ Trump-Musk alliance/ RFK stadium funding/ government budget chaos/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Elon Musk, using his influence on X, spread misinformation to attack a bipartisan spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown. His false claims about congressional pay raises, stadium funding, and bioweapon labs contributed to political chaos, highlighting the potential impact of his unelected role under the incoming Trump administration.
Musk’s Role in Blocking Spending Bill: Quick Look
Key Points
- Misinformation Campaign: Musk posted over 100 times, spreading debunked claims about the budget bill.
- False Claims: Included incorrect statements about congressional pay raises, stadium funding, and bioweapon labs.
- Political Influence: Musk’s actions swayed Congress, previewing his role in the Trump administration.
- Outcome: Despite the chaos, Congress passed a revised spending bill early Saturday.
How Elon Musk Helped Derail a U.S. Budget Bill with False Claims
Deep Look
Musk’s Misleading Campaign
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, played a pivotal role this week in derailing a bipartisan funding bill designed to avert a government shutdown. Over a span of days, Musk posted more than 100 times on his platform, amplifying misinformation about the bill’s provisions.
Among the debunked claims Musk made were:
- Congressional Pay Raises: Musk falsely asserted that the bill included a 40% raise for lawmakers. In reality, the maximum possible increase under the proposal was 3.8%, according to the Congressional Research Service. This adjustment would have raised congressional salaries from $174,000 to approximately $180,000 annually.
- NFL Stadium Funding: Musk claimed the bill allocated $3 billion for a new Washington Commanders stadium, which was untrue. The legislation only authorized the transfer of federal land to the District of Columbia and explicitly stated that federal funds would not cover costs incurred by the city.
- Bioweapon Labs: Musk alleged that the bill funded “bioweapon labs,” a baseless claim. The actual provision supported regional biocontainment research laboratories focused on biomedical research to counter infectious diseases.
Political Fallout
President-elect Donald Trump capitalized on Musk’s campaign, using the misinformation as leverage to demand the inclusion of a debt ceiling increase in the funding bill. This move echoed Trump’s history of last-minute legislative disruption, as seen during his first term in office.
Trump’s influence on House Speaker Mike Johnson further complicated negotiations. Johnson’s first two attempts to pass a spending bill failed, with the second effort—a pared-down 116-page version—rejected in a 174-235 vote.
Pushback from Congress
Lawmakers, including members of Trump’s party, expressed frustration with Musk’s inaccurate claims.
- Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) wrote on X: “I love you Elon but you need to take 5 seconds to check your sources before highlighting bottom feeders looking for clicks.”
- Mayor Muriel Bowser (D-D.C.) addressed the false stadium funding claim in a press conference, clarifying, “There are no federal dollars related to the transfer of RFK [Stadium].”
A Preview of Musk’s Influence
Musk’s actions offer a glimpse into the role he may play under the Trump administration, where he is set to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. His ability to mobilize public opinion through social media raises concerns about the spread of misinformation in governance.
“Trump has got himself a handful with Musk,” said John Mark Hansen, a political science professor at the University of Chicago. “We’ll see what Musk’s influence is when he runs up against reality.”
Congress Ultimately Acts
After the chaos, Congress passed a revised funding bill late Friday, narrowly averting a shutdown. The Senate approved the measure early Saturday, and President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law.
While the resolution temporarily funds the government and disaster aid, it excludes Trump’s demand for a debt ceiling increase. Instead, Republicans promised to address the debt ceiling in future tax and spending negotiations.
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