"How Trump and Elon Musk Created a Nightmare Before Christmas for Congress"

 "How Trump and Elon Musk Crafted a Christmas Nightmare for Congress"

Dec. 20, 2024, 10:35 AM GMT+6

It was government shutdown season in Washington, and the usual political noise was amplified by an unexpected player: Elon Musk.

Lawmakers had hoped for a smooth ride into the holiday season, buoyed by a bipartisan agreement that would fund the government and send them back to their districts. However, they quickly learned what the next four years might hold with Donald Trump potentially back in the White House and Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, exerting massive influence over political processes.

On Wednesday, Trump—backed by Musk—effectively scuttled the funding legislation crafted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a 1,500-page bill shaped by the usual congressional horse trading. Conservative Republicans and right-wing commentators attacked the plan, calling it exactly the kind of Washington status quo Trump promised to dismantle during his campaign. Yet, for much of the day, Trump remained on the sidelines.

That changed late Wednesday, when Trump condemned the bill as "ridiculous and extraordinarily expensive," leading to its collapse.

Within hours, House Republicans introduced a 116-page alternative plan to keep the government open through March 14, which received support from both Trump and Musk. The billionaire, a major 2024 political donor and a key ally of Trump, had a strong presence in the negotiations. However, even with significant arm-twisting and primary threats from Trump and his allies, the new plan faced fierce resistance from Republicans and failed to pass on the House floor Thursday night—leaving little time before a potential shutdown.

This outcome was a blow to Trump, who despite his electoral victory, still cannot unilaterally control Washington. “To say this is alarming and a setback is an absolute understatement,” said one veteran Republican operative.

The failure, however, underscored several new political realities. With President Joe Biden largely silent on the negotiations, Trump has seized the moment to position himself as a shadow president, while Speaker Johnson's tenure depends on keeping Trump satisfied. Musk, meanwhile, is cementing his role as a powerful figure within the emerging administration, able to sway votes and potentially end political careers.

'A New Sheriff in Town'

Musk wields not only vast wealth but also immense influence through his social media platform, X, where he boasts over 208 million followers. Musk, who spent more than $250 million helping to elect Trump, posted more than 100 times over the course of two days, warning of primary challenges for any Republican who voted for the original spending bill. "Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk tweeted on Wednesday.

Trump soon echoed Musk’s position, making it clear that the bill was dead. Musk's outsized role in the negotiations drew attention to his power as an unelected individual shaping the legislative process. Musk and Trump have since discussed forming a non-governmental agency aimed at increasing “government efficiency.” However, Trump's team downplayed any suggestion that Musk was truly calling the shots. “Once President Trump made his stance clear, Republicans on Capitol Hill followed his lead,” said Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. “President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Full stop.”

Trump himself confirmed that he had given Musk his blessing to oppose the original bill, noting that Musk was focused on cost concerns. Donald Trump Jr. also condemned the bill, agreeing with his father and Musk about its excessive length and contents.

The shutdown debate marked Trump's first significant test after his election, showcasing his ability to rally Republicans and spotlighting Musk’s influence as a key figure in the early days of Trump's second term.

Musk and Trump’s Growing Influence

Following the collapse of the original plan, some Democrats began referring to Musk as the de facto president-elect, while conservative voices suggested Musk could replace Speaker Johnson. "Elon Musk seems to be taking on the role of unelected president, with Trump following his lead," said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.

Musk’s influence drew praise from Fox News commentators, with Sean Hannity declaring, "A new sheriff is in town," and Jesse Watters highlighting Musk’s role in derailing the bill. By Thursday morning, Fox's flagship program marveled at Musk’s newfound power in Washington.

Despite the growing attention on Musk’s influence, he quickly deflected credit for the new plan, acknowledging Trump and Speaker Johnson as its architects. “I’m not the author of this proposal,” Musk clarified, giving credit to Trump, Sen. J.D. Vance, and Speaker Johnson.

No Resolution in Sight

On Thursday, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, vocally rejected the new Trump-endorsed spending bill, arguing that it still failed to address key fiscal concerns, including a $5 trillion increase in the national debt. Roy’s stance resonated with nearly 40 House Republicans who voted against the bill, ultimately causing its failure.

Roy’s opposition led to primary threats from Trump, reminding lawmakers of the stakes. Though Speaker Johnson faced pressure from conservative media and from within his party, he held onto Trump’s support—at least for the time being. After the second proposal’s defeat, Johnson vowed to keep working toward a solution. “We will regroup and come up with another solution, so stay tuned,” he told reporters.

Conservative activists, however, celebrated the bill's demise. Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA claimed, “We did something we never would have been able to do before,” highlighting the power of grassroots conservatives in derailing the deal.

As the clock ticks toward a government shutdown, the absence of a clear plan leaves Washington in limbo. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., confirmed that there are no immediate solutions, adding that Republicans are exploring several options.

Musk, after the failure of the new deal, blamed House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries for the bill's collapse, claiming that the majority of Republicans had supported it, but Democrats had largely opposed it.

The proposed plan had included disaster relief, farm bill extensions, and funding for conservation efforts, but it was heavily modified without bipartisan consultation, angering Democrats. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., accused Musk of manipulating Republicans, tweeting, “Elon Musk ordered his puppet President-elect and House Republicans to break the bipartisan agreement.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries criticized Republicans for their hypocrisy, pointing out that a significant portion of the national debt was accumulated during Trump’s presidency.

Trump has yet to comment on the plan’s failure, but some Republicans believe his direct involvement could shift the outcome. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., suggested that Trump’s personal intervention might resolve the stalemate. “If President Trump came up to Washington and spoke to people face to face, I think it could make a real difference,” he said.

With the shutdown deadline looming, the next move remains uncertain, leaving the nation in a precarious position as Washington faces another period of political gridlock.