Musk Ramps Up Opposition to Spending Deal
Elon Musk, a prominent ally of President-elect Donald Trump, called on Republican lawmakers to reject the Spending Bill, which aims to prevent an impending shutdown. In a series of critical tweets on Wednesday, Musk labeled the stopgap measure as “criminal” and pushed for its rejection. His influence, particularly among MAGA-aligned lawmakers, places additional pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to keep the bill afloat.
Musk’s objections stem from specific measures within the 1,500-page continuing resolution, including the proposed congressional pay raise, the first of its kind since 2009. The Tesla CEO, who is set to co-chair Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), also urged lawmakers to avoid passing any new bills until Trump officially takes office. Musk’s comments come as Republican leaders attempt to secure votes to meet the Dec. 20 funding deadline.
Adding to the pressure, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance issued a statement condemning the bill. They criticized the proposed pay raise for Congress “while many Americans are struggling this Christmas” and suggested Republicans challenge Democrats by allowing a shutdown. They also called for coupling the spending bill with an increase to the debt ceiling. Many conservative lawmakers share Musk’s disapproval, arguing they have had insufficient time to thoroughly review the measure.
Speaker Johnson Caught Between GOP Infighting
House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged Musk’s frustrations but defended his efforts to navigate a challenging situation. Speaking on Fox & Friends Wednesday, Johnson revealed he had discussions with Musk and DOGE co-chair Vivek Ramaswamy the previous night. According to Johnson, Musk and Ramaswamy clarified their dissatisfaction was not aimed personally at him but rather at the spending bill itself. “They said, ‘This is not directed to you, Mr. Speaker, but we don’t like the spending.’ I said, guess what fellas, I don’t either,” Johnson stated.
Despite his attempts to deflect the criticism, Johnson faces mounting pressure from within his own party. Musk continued his offensive on X, where he has over 207 million followers, by reposting a critique that called Johnson’s support “indefensible.” Musk added his own condemnation, saying, “This bill is terrible.” Ramaswamy echoed Musk’s stance, urging Congress to vote against the measure to prioritize government efficiency.
The ongoing backlash highlights Johnson’s delicate position as he balances leadership responsibilities while managing internal GOP divisions. Conservative factions remain frustrated after previous spending battles, including the September shutdown scare, where Johnson faced similar opposition.
Tensions Mount as Deadline Looms
The release of the bill’s text on Tuesday has kicked off a race to pass the legislation before the Friday deadline. The continuing resolution seeks to fund the government until mid-March, incorporating priorities for both Democrats and Republicans. However, bipartisan inclusion has done little to quell GOP resistance.
Musk’s vocal opposition could influence key Republican votes as his influence continues to grow within MAGA circles. His public denouncement, paired with Trump and Vance’s strong rebuke, has emboldened conservative lawmakers to challenge the bill. Musk went as far as stating that any member voting in favor of the legislation “should be voted out of office.”
While GOP leadership attempts to hold the Spending Bill together, the pressure from Musk, Trump, and conservative hardliners adds uncertainty to the bill’s fate. With time running out, Speaker Johnson faces an uphill battle to avoid another shutdown while appeasing critics within his party.
