On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump came out strongly against a government funding bill backed by Republicans, siding with Elon Musk in opposition to the proposal. The bill, a continuing resolution (CR) introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, is meant to keep the government funded temporarily. However, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the package, telling a Fox News host that he was “totally against” it. His opposition adds significant weight to the already growing discontent from other Republican figures, particularly Musk, who has been vocal about the bill’s flaws.
Trump, alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance, issued a joint statement urging lawmakers to pass a more straightforward funding bill that avoids what they see as unnecessary Democratic concessions. The statement emphasized the need for Republicans to prioritize support for farmers and disaster relief while also setting up the country for success in the coming years. Trump and Vance argued that any funding measure that includes “Democrat giveaways” would be a betrayal to the American people.
Trump and Musk Unite Against GOP Funding Bill, Urging a Shutdown Over ‘Democrat Giveaways
Elon Musk, who has been spearheading the charge against the CR, intensified his criticism throughout the day, calling the bill wasteful and laden with excessive spending. Musk, who is part of an advisory group working to eliminate government waste, expressed that a government shutdown—though not ideal—would be a better alternative to passing such a bill. He went as far as to suggest that no bills should be passed by Congress until Trump assumes office in January, gaining support from other Republican lawmakers in the process.
This growing rebellion against the CR places Speaker Mike Johnson in a difficult position. Although Johnson has had private conversations with Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, acknowledging their concerns about the bill’s spending, he maintains that passing the resolution is necessary to allow the government to function and to pave the way for Trump’s agenda. However, the backlash from his party could threaten his position as House Speaker, with some Republicans uncertain about whether they will support his re-election when the new Congress convenes in January.
The CR, which aims to keep the government open until mid-March, includes over $100 billion in disaster relief for areas impacted by hurricanes earlier this year. With federal funding set to expire at the end of the week, the bill’s passage is crucial to avoiding a government shutdown. While President Joe Biden has not publicly commented on the matter, he spent the day with family marking the anniversary of a personal tragedy, further distancing himself from the ongoing debate over the CR.
