Jamie Spencer
President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk joined forces on Wednesday to block a $100 billion stopgap spending bill crafted by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. The bill aimed to keep the government open until early in Trump’s new term, while funding disaster relief, agricultural support, infrastructure projects, and anti-revenge porn legislation.
Their intervention triggered chaos on Capitol Hill, casting doubt on Johnson’s leadership, plunging Washington into a familiar year-end crisis, and offering a preview of the disruptive style that could characterize Trump’s second term.
The Johnson Spending Bill: A GOP Divide
Johnson’s bill sought to balance short-term funding needs with broader Republican goals by delaying contentious spending debates until 2025. But Trump and Musk condemned it as bloated with unnecessary spending, with Musk calling it full of “pork” and warning Republican lawmakers to vote it down or face consequences in the 2026 election.
Trump and Musk also demanded the inclusion of a debt ceiling increase while Joe Biden is still in office, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
Their opposition rallied conservative lawmakers and MAGA media personalities, many of whom viewed the impasse as a victory against “business-as-usual” Washington politics.
A Rift Among Republicans
The move exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party. While hardline conservatives celebrated the chaos, more pragmatic members warned of the political and economic fallout from a potential government shutdown.
Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett echoed Musk’s sentiments on social media, declaring, “Shut it down.” Similarly, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene supported delaying all spending decisions until after Trump’s inauguration, writing, “I’m all in.”
However, other Republicans, including House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, expressed concern over the optics and potential harm to millions of Americans dependent on government services.
Musk’s Growing Influence
Musk’s involvement underscored his rising role as a political disruptor. Known for his unorthodox management philosophy—“Take risks. Learn by blowing things up. Revise. Repeat,” as biographer Walter Isaacson described—Musk used his social media platform, X, to rally opposition to the bill, posting more than 70 messages on Wednesday alone.
New York Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat, accused Musk of running the Republican Party from behind the scenes. “It increasingly seems like we’re in for 4 years of an unelected oligarch running the country by pulling on his puppet’s strings,” Goldman wrote on X.
A Government Shutdown Looms
Without a new spending bill, the government faces a partial shutdown at midnight Friday. Such a shutdown would halt critical federal services, impacting seniors, veterans, and other vulnerable groups while creating uncertainty during the holiday season.
The stalemate also jeopardizes Johnson’s position as House Speaker. GOP infighting has already left some lawmakers questioning his ability to lead. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie stated, “It would take a Christmas miracle” for him to support Johnson’s reelection as Speaker.
A High-Stakes Gamble for Trump
Trump’s decision to block the spending bill represents a calculated gamble. By forcing a shutdown and tying the debt ceiling to Biden’s term, he aims to shift political blame to Democrats while reinforcing his anti-establishment image.
However, the strategy risks overshadowing the lead-up to Trump’s January 20 inauguration. It also complicates his ability to govern effectively in his second term, as ongoing chaos could undermine legislative momentum for his key priorities, including tax cuts and immigration reform.
Democrats Respond
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the GOP’s actions, highlighting the harm a shutdown would cause. “House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government and hurt everyday Americans,” Jeffries said.
While Democrats have little incentive to bail out Trump, they also face a dilemma: allowing chaos to envelop Biden’s final days in office could hurt their political standing.
What’s Next for Washington?
With no clear path forward, lawmakers face a ticking clock. Johnson must rally enough support to pass a revised bill, but the fractures within his party make that task increasingly unlikely. Meanwhile, Democrats appear firm in their resolve not to concede to Trump’s demands.
As the capital braces for a shutdown, the drama offers a glimpse into the challenges and unpredictability of Trump’s upcoming presidency. The stakes are high, with potential consequences for the economy, federal services, and the broader political landscape.
