WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump delivered what could be seen as the final blow to bipartisan congressional budget negotiations, dismissing the proposed spending measure as riddled with "giveaways to Democrats" after billionaire ally Elon Musk spurred backlash against it. This upheaval came as Republican lawmakers faced mounting pressure from both Trump and Musk, who actively attacked the legislation on social media.
On Wednesday, Trump joined forces with Vice President-elect JD Vance to publicly oppose the bill, underscoring his influence as he shaped the GOP’s stance just days before the deadline to keep the government funded. According to AP, Musk, wielding his substantial social media reach, echoed Trump's sentiments, warning constituents of the fiscal "carnage" the spending package would engender.
"Stop the steal of your tax dollars!" Musk proclaimed on his platform X (formerly Twitter), inciting Republican lawmakers to announce their opposition to the budget. Trump followed suit, stating, "We need to restart negotiations and push for stricter measures." The episode highlighted the growing political clout of Musk, whom Trump has appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, aimed at trimming federal programs and reducing regulations.
Speaking to reporters, Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., lamented the situation, saying, "My phone was ringing off the hook," illustrating how deeply Musk's comments affected GOP representatives. Trump, reinforcing the narrative, decreed any Republican who supported the bill as betraying the party and the nation. "Anything else is betrayal, especially with Biden at the helm," he argued.
The bipartisan spending plan was meant to stabilize federal funding amid economic challenges, including nearly $100 billion earmarked for various disaster relief efforts. It also included provisions for federal infrastructure projects and social programs, but it became clear those benefits were overshadowed by Trump's and Musk's protests.
While some lawmakers celebrated the chaos, the discord left Speaker Mike Johnson's position vulnerable. Johnson had invested considerable effort to broker the agreement, yet now found himself undermined as Trump’s fierce opposition threatened his re-election as Speaker, scheduled for just weeks away.
The event unfolded amid unrest over financial markets, facing the tenth consecutive day of decline on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which reflects the broader uncertainty surrounding Trump's impending presidency. Political analysts drew parallels to the intense political environment of Trump's first term, recognizing the potential for similar upheaval as the new administration takes shape.
Following the eruption of discontent, the Biden administration expressed concerns about the looming government shutdown, stating, "Republicans need to stop playing politics with this bipartisan agreement or they will hurt hardworking Americans and create instability across the country," insisted White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Trump’s incendiary comments rekindled memories of his earlier tenure when he frequently disrupted political norms, initiating crisis after crisis. "You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries responded pointedly, demonstrating the growing frustrations among Democrats as they navigated the fallout from the GOP's rift.
Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, echoed skepticism about the direction the discussions were headed, insisting, "There’s got to be a second part of the strategy," but acknowledging Musk’s influence was curbing progress. Others, like Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., seemed energized by Musk's involvement, stating, "I’ve awaited fundamental change, and it just arrived today!"
Despite Musk’s efforts starting as some light-hearted social media posts, it escalated as he labeled the bill among the worst drafts ever contemplated. Some lawmakers accused Musk of propagandizing fabricated claims, including $3 billion for the construction of new stadiums, which turned out to be misinterpretations of other funding designations.
Indeed, as negotiations began to sour, tensions deepened with reports surfacing about Musk encouraging outright government shutdowns until Trump was sworn back in on January 20. Notably, Musk's collaboration with Trump has led some to question whether Musk is now influencing House Republicans directly, as his calls for action began shaping party dynamics.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, visibly frustrated during press conferences, acknowledged difficulty amid the chaos as negotiations began to fold under increasing pressure. Rep. Kentucky’s Thomas Massie speculated openly, "If we’re going to pass something, let’s just hand it over to Trump after he’s inaugurated," reflecting sentiments of many GOP members unwilling to back compromised agreements.
Meanwhile, Democrats reiterated their commitment to the initial bipartisan agreement done through negotiations, yet anticipate only more obstruction from the GOP side, particularly under Trump's influence. "House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government and hurt everyday Americans across this country," Hakeem Jeffries asserted, positioning the Democrats as steadfast defenders of pragmatic governance.
Despite the uncertainty, the clock ticks down as lawmakers confront the impending Friday midnight deadline. Failure to pass any agreements risks departing the Capitol with unresolved issues and may trigger wide-ranging consequences impacting many Americans relying on federal support.
Reflecting on the turmoil, outgoing Senate leader Mitch McConnell remarked regretfully, "Oh, this is the way it’s going to be next year," foreseeing persistent threats to the stability as newly elected representatives prepare to take office.
With factions within the GOP persistently divided on how to move forward, Trump's chaos-inducing tactics have thrust the party back toward internal crisis. The fight for the future of Republican governance hangs precariously as Trump's presidency looms closer, leaving many questions unanswered about the strategy moving forward.
