As the U.S. House of Representatives prepared to vote on a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, Elon Musk launched dozens of posts opposing it on X over half a day, pressuring lawmakers to abandon the effort.
On December 17, the Republican-controlled House unveiled a short-term spending bill proposing to maintain the federal budget at $6.2 trillion until March 14. The 1,500-page bill, negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and Democratic leaders, included provisions for disaster relief, agricultural aid for Americans, and salary increases for lawmakers.
This bill was essential since Congress had not yet passed a comprehensive budget for the fiscal year that began on October 1. Without the short-term spending bill, the U.S. government would shut down at 12:01 AM on December 21, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid over the holiday season. However, with just a few posts on X, billionaire Elon Musk—recently selected by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Government Efficiency Board (DOGE)—upended the Republicans' plans.
"It shouldn't be passed," Musk wrote on X at 4:15 AM on December 18, signaling his stance as DOGE's leader. Sharing a post by DOGE co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk pointed out the need for lawmakers to review all 1,547 pages of the bill carefully. Over the next 12 hours, Musk continued attacking the bill, posting more than 60 times on X, including some claims deemed inaccurate. His account, followed by over 200 million users, amplified his message.
"Call your representative immediately to let them know how you feel! They’re trying to pass this bill today while no one is paying attention," Musk urged his followers.
A Republican congressman reported an influx of calls to his office following Musk’s posts. "My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing," Representative Andy Barr from Kentucky told AP. "Our voters are listening to Elon Musk."
By midday, Musk escalated his rhetoric, describing the bill as "horrible," "illegal," "excessive," "unconscionable," "insane," and finally "a criminally insane act." He posted a photo of the bill printed out with the caption, "Have you ever seen a slab of pork this thick?"
Musk also targeted supporters of the bill. "Any House or Senate member who votes for this reckless spending bill deserves to lose their seat in two years!" Musk wrote at 1 PM, alluding to the 2026 midterm elections.
About an hour later, Musk explicitly outlined his vision: "Congress should not pass any bills until January 20, the day Donald Trump takes office. No bills. Zero."
Musk’s pressure campaign on X proved effective. After each post, lawmakers in Washington appeared to sense the growing urgency. Republican Representative Eric Burlison echoed Musk’s sentiment, stating on X that the bill was "exactly what DOGE aims to eliminate." Musk endorsed the statement, replying, "Absolutely."
Representative Andy Harris, head of the conservative Freedom Caucus, said Musk’s opposition aligned with DOGE's goals and praised Musk for achieving results even before Trump officially took office.
"He’s been tasked with a huge responsibility to control the size of the federal government. Like many entrepreneurs, he’s not waiting until tomorrow to start," Harris commented. "He’s purposeful and acting immediately."
Trump remained silent about the bill throughout the afternoon, seemingly allowing Musk to showcase his influence. Later that evening, the President-elect issued a joint statement with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, criticizing the spending bill.
"Republicans must be smart and tough. If Democrats threaten a shutdown until we give them what they want, then let them shut it down," Trump declared. "This chaos wouldn’t happen if we had a real president. And we’ll be in office in 32 days!"
Musk eventually achieved his goal, with Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirming the bill’s withdrawal. No "Plan B" to avoid a government shutdown has been announced. After his 12-hour campaign, Musk declared, "The voice of the people has prevailed." Speaker Johnson later messaged Musk and Ramaswamy, explaining the challenges he faced with a slim Republican majority in the new House.
Future spending measures will require bipartisan support to pass. If House Republicans continue to heed DOGE leaders' calls and reject bills from their own leadership, Johnson’s tenure as Speaker will face significant hurdles.
"Elon wields extraordinary influence," said Gordon Gray, Executive Director of the centrist Pinpoint Policy Institute. "I can’t think of another public figure outside government with comparable sway."
A Quinnipiac University poll released on December 18 showed 53% of Americans disapprove of Musk’s prominent role in Trump’s incoming administration, while 41% support it. Among Republican voters, Musk’s approval rate is 81%.
Short-term spending bills, like the one just rejected, are known as "continuing resolutions" as they provide lawmakers additional time to draft comprehensive budget legislation funding the government through the fiscal year. Without a solution, the U.S. government will officially shut down over the weekend, with noticeable impacts when federal employees return to work on Monday.
The White House criticized Republicans on December 18 for "playing political games" with government funding. Democrats warned Musk’s intervention signals future chaos under Trump’s administration.
Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Vance visited Speaker Johnson’s office for discussions. "We had a productive conversation. I won’t disclose specifics as negotiations are ongoing, but I believe we can resolve some of the issues at hand," Vance stated.
(Sources: Washington Post, AP, ABC News)
Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.
Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?
We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from
Los Angeles Airport - LAX
Long Beach Airport - LGB
John Wayne Airport - SNA
San Pedro cruise port
Long Beach cruise port
Disneyland
and other destinations.
Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!
