The road to a potential government shutdown became increasingly rocky this week as President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk leveled harsh criticism at a bipartisan spending bill that had been carefully crafted by House Speaker Mike Johnson. The bill was designed to keep the government open for three more months, averting a shutdown just ahead of the holiday season. However, after Musk and Trump voiced their strong objections, the bill was revised in an attempt to placate their concerns. Despite these changes, the revised version failed to garner enough support, setting the stage for a shutdown to begin on Friday when the current funding lapses.
The drama started when Musk, who is widely known for his influence over conservative circles, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to call out the original bill. He criticized the bipartisan nature of the bill, claiming that any lawmaker who voted for it should be voted out in two years. Musk’s scathing remarks were directed not just at the bill itself, but at any politician who dared to support it. His posts warned of the bill’s passage while the American people weren’t paying attention, encouraging his millions of followers to call their elected officials and voice their displeasure.
Speaker Johnson had been hopeful that the bill would pass smoothly, given its bipartisan support, which included both Democratic and Republican backing. Yet Musk’s criticisms set off a chain of events that ultimately led to the bill being scrapped. Despite Johnson’s attempts to reassure Musk on the specifics of the bill, the Tesla CEO’s stance remained unchanged. He continued to blast the bill, even praising those lawmakers who came out against it, further pressuring Republicans to withdraw their support.
Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024
Then, as the deadline for a potential shutdown loomed closer, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, two of the most prominent voices in the Republican Party, also began to criticize the bill. In a statement issued by Vance, the duo expressed their discontent with the original proposal, arguing that it would make it easier to hide records related to the January 6 committee’s investigation, a topic Trump and his allies had long sought to downplay. The statement also attacked the bill for potentially giving Congress a pay raise while ordinary Americans were struggling financially during the holiday season. The critique came as a significant blow to Johnson’s efforts to move the bill forward.
In response to the pressure from Trump and Musk, Johnson, along with other Republican leaders, hastily rewrote the bill. The new version, a slimmed-down 116-page proposal, aimed to address the concerns raised by the two powerful figures. Most notably, it included a two-year suspension of the debt ceiling, something that Trump had demanded. The revised bill also included $100 billion in disaster aid for states ravaged by hurricanes and other natural disasters, a provision that Trump had also championed. The changes appeared to be a direct attempt to placate both Trump and Musk, who had openly criticized the original bill for what they perceived as excessive spending and compromises with Democrats.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to celebrate the revision, posting that the new deal was a “success” and applauding Speaker Johnson and the House for their efforts. “SUCCESS in Washington!” he declared, praising the new deal as a step forward in fulfilling Republican priorities. Trump’s approval of the bill was seen as a major victory for Johnson, who had been under pressure from the far-right wing of the Republican Party, which had previously been dissatisfied with the original version of the bill.
However, despite Trump’s approval, the new version of the bill failed to secure bipartisan backing. Democrats, who had initially supported the original bill, balked at the revised version. The two-year debt ceiling suspension, which had been included to meet Trump’s demands, was a deal-breaker for many Democrats. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries referred to the new bill as “laughable,” and made it clear that Democrats were sticking with the original deal they had made with Johnson. “It’s not a serious proposal,” Jeffries said, and his sentiment was echoed by other Democrats, who responded by chanting “Hell, no!” during a closed-door caucus meeting. They made it clear that they would not support the revised bill under any circumstances.
The revised bill also had its challenges on the Republican side. Despite the revisions designed to appease both Trump and Musk, 38 Republicans joined the Democratic opposition in voting against the bill. This included some key members of the Republican Party who had previously supported Johnson’s efforts. In the end, the revised bill was rejected with a vote of 174 in favor and 235 against, sealing the fate of the legislation and setting the stage for a government shutdown.
After the vote, Speaker Johnson expressed his frustration but remained optimistic, telling reporters, “We will regroup, and we will come up with another solution. So stay tuned.” The failure of the bill left lawmakers with little time to reach an agreement before the funding deadline, creating a sense of urgency as the possibility of a shutdown looms large.
The US Congress this week came to an agreement to fund our government.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 19, 2024
Elon Musk, who became $200 BILLION richer since Trump was elected, objected.
Are Republicans beholden to the American people? Or President Musk?
This is oligarchy at work.
As the situation unfolded, some lawmakers began to question the level of influence Musk and other non-elected figures were wielding in Washington politics. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders voiced his concerns about Musk’s power, accusing the billionaire of using his wealth and influence to undermine the democratic process. Sanders took to X to ask whether the United States was still a democracy or if it had become an oligarchy, with the wealthiest individuals making the decisions for the country. His post highlighted growing concerns about the role of money and power in shaping the political landscape, especially as the government faces the prospect of a shutdown over a spending bill that had been heavily influenced by the opinions of non-elected individuals.
Meanwhile, Trump appeared unconcerned about the shutdown, suggesting that the country would be better off closing down the government temporarily rather than agreeing to policies that Democrats wanted to push through. He posted on Truth Social, “Our country is far better off closing up for a period of time than it is agreeing to the things that the Democrats want to force upon us.” He emphasized that the victory in the recent election, in which Republicans performed well, gave them the leverage to stand firm in the face of a shutdown.
Musk, for his part, continued to shift the blame for a potential shutdown squarely onto the shoulders of the Democrats. He argued that despite the overwhelming support from Republican House members for the original bill, it was only the actions of Democrats that led to the failure of the legislation. Musk posted on X: “Objectively, the vast majority of Republican House members voted for the spending bill, but only 2 Democrats did. Therefore, if the government shuts down, it is obviously the fault of [House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries] and the Democratic Party. Plain & simple.”
As the clock ticks down to the shutdown deadline, it remains to be seen whether Johnson and other lawmakers can find a path forward to prevent a closure of government services. The failure of the revised bill has left Congress in a difficult position, with the holiday season approaching and no clear resolution in sight. What is clear, however, is that the influence of Trump, Musk, and other outside figures continues to shape the debate in Washington, making it even harder for elected officials to reach a consensus on how to keep the government running. The next few days will be critical in determining whether a shutdown can be avoided or whether the country will face the disruptions and consequences of a federal government closure.
