WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Some Democrats are blasting billionaire Elon Musk and his influence on the incoming administration after President-elect Donald Trump derailed a bipartisan congressional spending deal, seemingly at Musk’s request.
Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders blasted the SpaceX and Tesla CEO on Wednesday, calling him “President Elon Musk” and adding, “Billionaires must not be allowed to run our government.”
It comes after Trump told House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Republicans to essentially renegotiate days before a deadline when federal funding runs out.
Musk whipped up outrage toward the bill and cheered on Republican lawmakers who announced their opposition.
How much influence does Musk have?
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance called for Republicans to approve a clean stopgap funding bill paired with a hike to the debt ceiling, saying the previous government funding measure negotiated by Johnson should be torpedoed.
The episode showcased the growing political influence of Musk, whom Trump has selected alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, cut programs and reduce regulations.
Things seemed to be on track with the CR until Musk posted on X and Trump and Vice President-elect Vance all came out against the spending bill.
A handful of prominent Trump allies and advisers earlier Wednesday urged lawmakers to reject the spending proposal and suggested those who support it should face consequences.
“Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk posted on X, the social media platform he owns.
Musk later suggested no new legislation should pass until Trump takes office, effectively endorsing a government shutdown just ahead of the holidays.
Ramaswamy also posted a lengthy message criticizing the size and scope of the funding bill.
Democrats say Musk, not Trump running GOP
Several lawmakers told NewsNation that Musk was the catalyst that prompted strong opposition. His actions also led some lawmakers — nearly all Democrats, along with a few Republicans — to question whether Musk holds too much influence over the legislative process.
“All of a sudden, we have an outside influence who believes, I think he is president, and that’s President Musk, who has not (been) elected, has no authority, and trying to really upend what the services are to the American people,” said House Appropriations Ranking Member Rep. Rosa DeLauro.
Johnson searching for ‘clean CR’
Johnson is now searching for a backup plan to fund the government before Friday’s shutdown deadline.
He’s considering a “clean CR” that would drop many of the extra provisions in the 1,500-page bipartisan spending bill that was previously negotiated, including more than $100 billion in federal disaster aid, The Hill reports.
This comes amid next month’s speakership race. Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie said he won’t back Johnson for a second term, putting his position in jeopardy heading into the new Congress.
The Hill and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
