Trump trashes must-pass funding bill as Musk calls for the GOP to shut down the government
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
- Elon Musk endorsed shutting down the government until Trump takes office on January 20.
- He and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading a MAGA online pressure campaign against a must-pass funding bill.
- Some GOP lawmakers are listening, and Trump eventually came out against the bill.
In a post on X on Wednesday afternoon, Elon Musk endorsed the idea of shutting the government down until January 20, the date that President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sworn into office.
It was the latest missive in a pressure campaign that Musk, along with fellow DOGE co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy and a host of hardline Republicans on Capitol Hill, have been leading against a so-called "continuing resolution" that would fund the government through March 14.
Just over an hour later, Trump and Vice-President-elect JD Vance called on Republicans to renegotiate the bill in a joint statement, saying that the current one contained too many "giveaways" to Democrats.
Trump and Vance also called on Congress to raise the debt ceiling, a task that lawmakers had not contemplated as part of the funding bill and that they had planned to tackle in the first months of the new year.
"I expected Elon to go off on this a little bit," Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, a staunch Trump ally, told reporters on Wednesday. Mullin said that he remains undecided on the bill, but said that Musk's and others' campaign would "greatly" affect its fate in the House, where lawmakers could take a vote as soon as Wednesday evening.
Opponents of the bill have pointed to a range of provisions that they view as wasteful, including an extension of pandemic preparedness legislation, provisions to allow the Washington Commanders to use the old RFK stadium in Washington, DC, funding for the Global Engagement Center at the Department of State, and a provision that will allow lawmakers to see a modest pay increase for the first time since 2009.
Wednesday's pressure campaign, which ramped up over the course of the day after Musk and Ramaswamy expressed initial opposition to the bill , provided an early glimpse of how the two men may approach government spending fights under Trump. Both of them are leading an initiative tasked with recommending up to $2 trillion in cuts to government spending by 2026.
Musk and Ramaswamy's voices appeared to only be amplified by the fact that Trump himself didn't weigh in on the bill until late in the day.
"What we've heard from both Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy is they want us to shut down government," said Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, according to HuffPost. "Is that the posture of the President?"
Several House Republicans directly cited Musk and Ramaswamy as they expressed their opposition to the bill on Wednesday, while others invoked DOGE to pressure their colleagues to join them in voting against the bill.
"So many members of Congress want the clout of working with @DOGE and @ElonMusk," Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado wrote on X . "Only a handful are actually interested in cutting spending."
Musk also wrote that "any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!"
Just as Musk's prior pressure campaign to install Sen. Rick Scott of Florida as Senate GOP leader failed, Wednesday's campaign against the continuing resolution appeared to show the limits of Musk's grasp on Capitol Hill and legislation.
Both Musk himself and the DOGE X account claimed that the bill would increase lawmakers' salaries by 40%, a vastly inflated figure. According to the Congressional Research Service, the maximum possible increase would be 3.8%.
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All of you who voted for Elon Musk to run the government must be happy.
Some Democrats might be happy too. Shutting down the government at Trump's demand would help the Democrats in the mid term elections.
no it won't. No one will care the slightest iota what happens over this come 2026.
But sure, keep supporting the same old same old and borrow trillions of dollars without the slightest effort to cut waste or debate the spending. That's really what the Democratic party does, take money from taxpayers and reward their special interests and this is how they do it.
Kudos on nailing the talking point of the day though. If every democrat says Musk is running the country, that will make Trump mad at him right?
Seems that Musk/Trump won, the bill will not be brought up for a vote.
Trump and JD Vance -
"we'd rather do it on Biden's watch"
How about doing it when it is scheduled, next June?
The debt ceiling has nothing to do with tax cuts. The debt ceiling will be lifted regardless. Democrats can raise the debt ceiling without cutting taxes.
He thinks he is king. For that matter, so does his cult.
The theory is that if the debt ceiling will be negotiated during Trump's term the Democrats could use those negotiations to limit the tax cut Trump wants to give billionaires.
Republicans are usually against raising the debt ceiling. Why does Trump want it done NOW ? Because it would involve give and take negotiation, and Trump wants to be all take and no give.
Or they could just oppose any tax cuts to billionaires.
What about Musk/Trump giveaways? Anybody ponder that question?
I seem to remember the argument from the past that the debt ceiling being raised is necessary due to past expenses. ie, it was money already spent in previous budgets and now it needs to be borrowed hence the need to raise the debt ceiling.
Washington, it always spends more money. The 1.8$Trillion deficit in a time of no war and no national emergency is nuts. Washington needs to stop playing the partisan games and pass actual budgets and work to reduce the debt. Not that I really expect them to as both parties have been taken over by the extremes, and it is allegiance to party rather than the country.
I'm not sure that MAGA House members know what 'compromise' means.
I'm not sure that either side knows what 'compromise' is.
There was a CR deal on the table Johnson brokered with the Dems, which failed after Musk spend a whole day on X burning it down.
Until some special elections happen the GoP only has a 2 seat majority. Even after it's what 5? They will have to work together to get anything done.
So? Still doesn't mean either side knows that the word compromise means. Both sides play their partisan games and We the People are caught in the middle. With a $1.8 trillion deficit in a year without any war or national emergency, I hope your statement doesn't mean that you are ok with the CR that was put forth. The irresponsible spending that Washington has done needs to stop. We (the people) need to stop cheering on one side when they talk about reducing the deficit. We need to reduce the debt.
No argument from me on the face of that statement.
I haven't read it. I've not commented on merits of the bill, only on the process of it not getting passed.
I'm with you on spirit here too, but I also know that everyone there has their priorities, projects and constituents. We could go on and on about the specifics, but frankly I don't have the time. Politicians constantly go into DC saying they will cut spending. So far it has never really happened.
The closest was when they backed Obama into signing the sequestration bill into law. The immediate effect of that was totally backpedaling of Republicans on not spending. Spending is how these people get reelected.
I just don't see a reality where that can be achieved UNTIL we reach a point were populism has been cast aside and the electorate are on board with moderate leaders in both parties.
I don't think any caring American gives a crap if the government shuts down. Nothing really changes.
SS payments still go out
The military does not stop
Fed workers get a free vacation with back pay when a budget of some sort gets passed.
It is not a big deal, especially with many fed workers getting ready to go on Christmas vacation anyway.
No one will be missed.
Except it costs more taxpayer money. MAGA Populist GoP has ditched ethics, the rule of law and now fiscal responsibility.
The threat of a government shutdown could be the most “fiscally responsible” thing government has ever done.
I give you …… a 36 Trillion dollar debt and counting …..
Could be, but never has. I'll believe it when I see it.
That will only grow under Trump's plan of tax cuts, immigration spending and tariff threats.
You actually have to care and actually pay taxes to worry about government spending, While congress is trying to negotiate a budget, the Biden admin is announcing another 4.28 billion for worthless takers who don't want to pay their student loans.
That’s my point. Politicians are confident no one will have the balls to do it so they are free to play their reindeer games with our tax dollars.
So how did that work under Biden? No national crisis (COVID) excuse to account for his increase in the National Debt. Just below Trump’s last I looked. He may beat Trump before he’s done with no 100 year national crisis like Trump had.
Yeah I saw that. If Biden isn’t judged as one of the worst Presidents in history, historians should never again be trusted writing our history.
We will rename them, Gaslightorians.
You think that the pandemic and the spending for same ended in the Trump administration??
While I am sickened continually by the fiscal irresponsibility of the federal government (no longer matters which party is in control), inventing alternate realities for partisan purposes is counterproductive.
Your point doesn't live in reality.
Better than you moving the goalpost, but I'll bite -
Your position of Dem spending bad - Republican spending good doesn't work with me.
Agree, so please stop doing it.
A significant portion of Trumps contribution to the National Debt was COVID related. Spending assigned to Trumps reign not Biden’s. Biden has no such COVID like excuse.
This can not be argued by fact.
How so?
Nope, goalposts not moved but feel free to try again.
Your words not mine. My words are: spending not covered by revenue, causes debt and is generally a bad thing. Regardless of who is doing it.
Any questions?
lol, that study is flawed in more than one way but don’t take my word for it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The CBO now expects the debt to be $7.2 trillion higher than it had projected when Trump left office—all because of Biden’s reckless spending policies.
The debt actually rose $6.5 trillion during Trump’s entire term—and is up $7.9 trillion in less than four years of Biden’s tenure.
All of the increase in today’s debt has been due to massive, out-of-control federal spending—by both parties.
Where are the facts supporting your claim that pandemic spending is not a significant portion of Biden's spending?
As I said it's never happened.
Still not making the connection.
Amazing!
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You can just look at the deficit for fy2024
You think that shows that pandemic spending is NOT a significant portion of Biden's spending??
Yes. The deficit in 2024 is 1.8 trillion. In 2022 it was 1.4 trillion. The pandemic did not require ever increasing amounts of spending.
That was not the claim.
There are few things in government more stupid than being ok with shutting down the government.
Yep and one of them is expecting that politicians won’t take advantage when considering that government will never get shut down.
Maybe if the democrats in congress didn't share a single brain cell and just once had an independent thought, compromise might be able to be had, but i foresee zero chance with TDS making such a strong comeback.
Do you realize that almost a million government workers suddenly stop getting paid? When they can’t pay their bills, do you think their landlords, banks, supermarkets, or utility companies give a shit about some political agenda in Washington? The rest of the country doesn’t have the luxury of not paying its bills on time.
No problem, keep kicking the can down the road for your kids and grandkids to deal with.
Smart, real smart …… but, at least you have some friends here who want to do the same thing. Fuck over their kin for some comfort and convenience right now.
Yep ….. outstanding!
They chose a career knowing that was a possibility. Just like some folks that work in hospitals knew they would work some weekends and holidays. Just like people joining unions know they may go on strike.
You beat me to it.
And they will get paid once a budget is struck. I am sure their landlords and other companies are aware of the dumbassery taking place in DC and can live quite fine with knowing that the back pay is on the horizon.
You're absolutely right, Jim. Mr Giggles has played this game for at least 30 years
I worked for GM in the 70's and we went on strike several times in a few years. It was just the nature of the beast. Since everyone knew we would go back once recalled we were not even required to look for a job to keep unemployment payments.
Why do you think that’s only alternative? It’s not. CRs approve the payment of debt that has already been incurred. The bills are due and it’s time to pay.
Want to reduce spending - or at least get rid of deficits? I’m all for that. But the time for that is when Congress is crafting a new budget or adding spending in new legislation - not when it’s time to pay for shit that has already been approved.
I hope you understand now that this is not my position. What Congress does when it allows the government to shut down is fucking over Americans right now, when she they should be exercising some discipline at budget time.
No. No one makes that choice. No one assumes that one day their employer will just up and decide not to pay them for a while. Could it happen? Sure, under extraordinary circumstances, it could happen to any employee in any field, but it would be a breach in the employment contract.
Where in government employment contracts is the clause that an employee agrees to forego their wages because someone in Congress wants to score some political points?
You just assume people can go without income for a while? For how long?
Mortgages don’t have to be paid? Credit card bills? Heating? Car repair? Medical bills? We’ll all just work for free? Food is free? Fuel is free? What universe is that happening in? Because it ain’t the one I see.
If they work for the government and don't know their checks could be interrupted by a shutdown they are idiots
Idiots, even. I see. So, then logically, it should be harder for government employees to get credit. Everyone who works for the government should take a hit to their credit score. It should be harder for government employees to get a lease for an apartment, or a car loan, or a mortgage. Or they should have to pay a higher interest rate.
Furthermore, this should extend to anyone foolish enough to do business with a government employee. Car mechanics, for example, should promise not to work on the cars of government employees if they want to secure a business loan. The government employee can’t reasonably be expected to pay his bill.
Finally
Lawdy. Imagine being a business owner having to always deal with uncertainty. We should really pity the federal employees, who are overcompensated for their work on average and enjoy better job security than almost any other employees in the country. They are the real heroes. They have to budget for a delay in getting paid every couple years and only have elevated job pay and job security to show for it.
Some would have you believe that would pretty much ruin their lives.
Sadly, the contempt for one’s fellow man in your comment is totally on-brand.
I guess you imagine that to be an apt analogy, but it’s not.
Covid disrupting supply lines was “uncertainty.” Russia invading Ukraine and the resulting increase in oil prices was “uncertainty.”
Uncertainty, by its very definition and nature, is something you can’t control. You can only try to prepare for it.
Shutting down the government is 100% avoidable. It is a self inflicted wound. There should not be anything uncertain about America living up to its financial obligations.
It's never really shut down and never will. Once again, the Dems are being petty and vindictive.
The dems are holding the American people hostage to buy more votes by stealing money from the producers.
Except Johnson had a deal in place. It burned to the ground by Trump, Musk and a bunch of MAGA stink star kissing House members.
That was then, this is now. What is wrong with the new bill from last night? Too much pork cut?
That is the lamest answer I've seen in awhile.
It's obviously NOT the deal they agreed to.
remember the shut down theatre during Obama’s presidency, when democrats paid people to put fencing around open areas, to create the illusion of a shut down?
from Sheryl attkisson
Quick story about govt. shutdowns and the theatrics behind them. One year when I was reporting at CBS News during a govt. shutdown, I think 2013, we were sincerely searching for real life impact. When we couldn't find any, *that* should have been part of the story.
Instead, we kept trying to create the appearance of an impact. It wasn't really trying to be dishonest. It was, in my retrospective view, because the general editorial idea for the story was to show how bad the "Republican" shutdown was for ordinary Americans, and the answer simply couldn't be that it wasn't.
I've written quite a bit about this but we, as journalists, too often "decide" the story in advance and shape the facts to fit our narrative, rather than gathering information and letting that tell the story, whatever it may be. Anyway, the Ds were blaming Rs for the shutdown, so we were calling Ds and the Obama administration for ideas to report what was the real impact.
Taking our cue, these officials fabricated impact that we could report. For example, they cordoned off outdoor public monuments in Washington DC. We knew and even discussed in the newsroom that this made no sense. These monuments weren't "manned" to begin with. The only reason to cordon them off from the public was so that visiting tourists would see the "impact" of the shutdowns and the news media would have something to take pictures of and interview people about. There are other examples but this is the one I remember the
I don’t know what you mean by “really,” but government shutdowns have real world consequences. They impact families, the larger economy, and the country’s credit rating. And meanwhile, while Congress jerks itself off trying to decide if it should pay bills it already owes, other important shit is not getting done.
Of course it is. Much better to stick with something that isn't going to pass than move forward.
And? Why keep saying that if it is dead? Oh yea, political posturing. The dems want their 1500 page monstrosity and will shut the government down if they don't get it. After all it is important to the American people that they get a 3.8 percent raise and throw out a requirement that lawmakers buy health coverage on an insurance exchange established by the Affordable Care Act and allowing them to get coverage from the traditional federal employee benefits plan.
It's the MAGA way.
Explain to me again why this is this the Dem's fault when the Republicans have a majority?
Or why a number of republicans voted against the bill.
What we have now is Trump issuing threats to republicans that voted against it. That will sure help the process, Musk and his mini me Trump set off a chain reaction and now they are stuck with it.
This is fine. Since government agencies will shut down, I guess we’ll be skipping the inauguration.
OMG, I couldn't be loving this anymore. President Musk... sorry Elon.... oh wait no, his secretary Trump, is that right?, is already blowing governing up in their faces and they haven't even takebn office yet.