Additional Coverage:
Elon Musk’s Role in Funding Chaos
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas has likened Tesla CEO Elon Musk to an unelected prime minister due to his influence on a funding fight in Congress. Gonzales believes Musk’s actions contributed to the government shutdown scare this week.
Musk, a key ally of President-elect Donald Trump, criticized a proposed government funding measure on his social media platform, leading Trump to oppose the deal. This ultimately caused its collapse.
Gonzales Opposes Funding Measure
Gonzales was among the Republicans who opposed the final funding measure, citing constituent concerns. He argued that Congress should focus on addressing issues rather than passing “pork-filled bills.”
Musk’s Voice and Trump’s Role
Gonzales believes Musk’s voice reflects the concerns of many Americans. He also credits Trump for reducing the size of the funding bill.
Criticism of House Speaker
The funding debacle has led to criticism of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s handling of the situation. Some Republicans, including Rep. Thomas Massie, have expressed concerns about Johnson’s ability to lead the new Congress.
Despite his opposition to the funding measure, Gonzales supports Johnson as speaker, praising his efforts to unite the House and work with Trump and Musk to find solutions.