Musk’s Way

Did Elon Musk soften up the Republicans at Donald Trump’s behest? Or did he call the shots for the president-elect?

Does Donald Trump want to be president now, or can he wait until Jan. 20? He rejected the expensive budget compromise that the outgoing Congress sought to avert an impending government shutdown before Christmas, as if he were already sitting in the White House. At the same time, he complained that it didn’t include raising the debt ceiling. This step will soon be necessary in order for Washington to be able to service its debts — and Trump wanted to blame it on Joe Biden.

A Barrage of Tweets

Before he threatened representatives about the consequences for voting in favor of the deal reached by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Elon Musk had softened up the Republican coalition with a barrage of tweets. Did Trump commission him to do it? Or was the president-elect compelled down this path by the billionaire?

The search for compromise looks different. But criticizing the budget hari-kari is very legitimate. Congress can’t even bring itself to agree on a budget until it has reached the point of no return, and it buys every yes vote with expensive concessions to avoid a shutdown.

If it does indeed come to that, many citizens would hardly notice it over the holidays — except for federal employees who won’t get paid. But dissatisfaction among federal employees is more of a welcome side effect for Trump and his efficiency watchdog Musk than political taboo.*

*Editor’s Note: President Biden signed a spending bill Dec. 21 that extends federal funding through mid-March.