Elon Musk is making his mark in US politics, grabbing headlines for his recent efforts to block a bipartisan agreement aimed at avoiding a government shutdown. The world’s richest person is now being referred to as “President Musk” by Democrats, highlighting concerns about his increasing influence in political affairs.
With Donald Trump designating him to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is already flexing his political muscle even before officially stepping into this role on January 20.
In a flurry of posts on his social media platform X early Wednesday, Musk criticized the budget bill negotiated by both Republican and Democratic leaders to keep the government running. He declared, “This bill should not pass,” and urged House Republicans to “Kill the bill,” going so far as to label it “criminal.”
Some Republican lawmakers quickly aligned with Musk’s stance, with Representative Dan Bishop commenting on Musk’s post, indicating that a significant change in congressional dynamics has begun. Other right-leaning members even proposed Musk for the role of House speaker.
Later in the day, Trump also joined the fray, denouncing the spending bill as “ridiculous and extraordinarily expensive,” which heightened tensions as the country faced a potential government shutdown just before Christmas.
Musk celebrated the downfall of the bill, proclaiming, “The voice of the people was heard,” and shared a photo of himself with the phrase “VOX POPULI,” which means “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Following Musk’s intervention, Republican lawmakers proposed a new funding package that met the approval of both Trump and Musk.
However, Democrats have labeled Musk as erratic and power-hungry, expressing concerns about billionaires influencing the government. Senator Bernie Sanders remarked, “Will Republicans kiss the ring?” while Democratic Representative Jim McGovern quipped, “He’s president and Trump is now vice president,” suggesting a significant shift in power dynamics.
