Following the passage of a stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown, WNBA guard Natasha Cloud took to social media to voice her frustrations with billionaires, particularly targeting Elon Musk. The Phoenix Mercury player expressed her views on X (formerly Twitter) after the bill passed, highlighting what she sees as the disconnect between wealthy individuals and the workings of government.
The bill, aimed at extending government funding levels until March 14, came after intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans. According to Fox News, the proposed legislation was 1,547 pages long, but it faced significant backlash from GOP hardliners, who criticized what they perceived as unrelated measures within the bill, which included provisions for pay raises for congressional lawmakers and revitalization efforts for RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The bill was dismissed as Musk and former President Donald Trump rallied opposition, threatening to oust lawmakers who did not pair it with discussions on the debt ceiling.
Cloud's criticism was not subtle. "So when y’all gone tell Elon to go back to Africa?" she posted on X, also adding, "Im so glad ALL these billionaires have no idea how the 3 branches of government work….or how a bill gets passed [into] law." She expressed disdain particularly for the 38 Republicans who rejected the stopgap bill, staunchly against what she interpreted as threats and blackmail from their party leaders.
This latest public display is not the first time Cloud has stirred the pot with her social media commentary. During the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, she had been vocal about her concerns for fundamental human rights, emphasizing how systemic issues like racism and misogyny are ingrained within American society. "The privilege of celebrating rn is exactly what’s wrong with us as people," Cloud remarked after former President Trump’s election victory. She had mentioned, "I am truly worried about my fundamental human rights," highlighting her perspective on the social issues facing the country.
Cloud's outspoken stance puts her firmly on the intersection of sports and social justice, embodying the trend where athletes use their platforms to engage in political discourse. By questioning Musk's status as a U.S. citizen, she sought to highlight what she perceives as hypocrisy within the billionaire class dominating political narratives. Despite being publicly celebrated for her athletic prowess, Cloud hopes her criticisms will resonate beyond the arena of sports and spark conversations about governance and representation.
After the stopgap funding bill was passed by the House with no dissenting votes from Democrats, Cloud did not hold back her reaction. She waited until the afternoon of December 22, the day after the bill’s approval, to articulate her pointed remarks. This delay raised eyebrows about her engagement with the political process she claimed to critique so vehemently.
Critics of Cloud argue her social media forays reflect more of the emotional reactions of sports personalities rather than informed criticism rooted in policy knowledge. A notable discourse has emerged from her comments, reflecting broader tensions surrounding wealth, privilege, and governance. Many are questioning the practicality of calling out billionaires on matters of political influence when those individuals remain intricately woven within the socio-economic fabric of the country.
Yet Cloud remains undeterred, steadfastly vocal about her views. Wrestling with the idea of how such wealth shapes political actions speaks to the wider sentiments of many Americans who feel marginalized by those same systems. Whether within the sports sphere, social media, or beyond, her comments continue to attract significant attention.
With Cloud’s latest comments, it prompts conversations about the role of athletes, their influence on socio-political issues, and the potential ramifications of their opinions. The crossover appeal of sports figures like Cloud reflects society's need for individuals to stand up against perceived injustices, particularly with regard to how policies are shaped and influenced by significant monetary power.
One thing is for certain: Natasha Cloud is not shying away from hot-button issues, using her platform to spark meaningful discourse about governance, citizenship, and the power dynamics at play.
