Just hours ahead of former President Donald Trump’s reaction against a bipartisan short-term funding agreement, which risked a government shutdown right before Christmas, a significant ally was already working to halt the legislation.

Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, took to his account to criticize the spending bill, insisting that lawmakers should “kill the bill” in over 100 posts that flooded the discussion surrounding the deal.

When Trump finally responded, nearly 14 hours after Musk’s initial posts, it appeared he was echoing Musk’s sentiments. Political analysts started to wonder who was influencing the Republicans more: Trump or Musk?

“President-elect Musk is making it clear how he intends to govern. VP Trump should take note,” former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger quipped on X.

The interactions between Trump and Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, have generated considerable discussion about how these relationships will shape the incoming administration, particularly following Musk’s vocal opposition to the funding bill.

Musk has not only endorsed Trump but also campaigned by his side and invested significantly in his campaign efforts. He has frequently visited Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, to offer advice on the transition.

Trump appointed Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy to head a new Department of Government Efficiency, which will focus on reducing government regulations and spending. Musk’s recent stance against the spending bill may indicate he is aggressively interpreting his role in this capacity.

If Congress fails to finalize a short-term funding agreement, it could lead to a government shutdown during the holidays, affecting many federal services and employees. Musk, however, remains focused on spending issues.

On Thursday, House Republicans were seen moving in and out of Speaker Mike Johnson’s office as they raced against the shutdown deadline. Representative Dusty Johnson from South Dakota told reporters they were experiencing “progress,” although he did not provide details.

“The choice is either significant change or financial collapse for America; thus, enormous changes are necessary!” Musk stated on X Wednesday amid the spending bill debate.

Musk’s strong influence has caused frustration for certain lawmakers while others appreciate his involvement.

Democrats and critics of Trump condemned Musk’s successful attempt to undermine the spending bill, citing his extreme wealth as indicative of a disconnect from the realities faced by many Americans.

“The richest person in the world wants to shut down the government, leaving countless American workers, including our military personnel, without pay during the holidays,” stated Representative Don Beyer, a Democrat from Virginia, whose district includes numerous federal employees and the Pentagon. “Republicans are acquiescing to his demands. This is outrageous.”

A Flood of Tweets and Cautionary Messages

Musk commenced his social media campaign at 4:17 a.m. on Wednesday, sharing a photo of an expansive budget document, captioned, “Ever seen a bigger piece of pork?” This tweet garnered an impressive 38.6 million views, amplified by X’s algorithms that ensure maximum visibility for Musk’s posts.

“I spoke with Elon about this last night,” Speaker Johnson shared with Fox News on Wednesday morning. “Elon, Vivek, and I are in a group text together.”

By noon, numerous GOP lawmakers and social media personalities were rushing to align with Musk’s stance. At 12:59 p.m., Musk encouraged his followers: “Ensure your elected representatives are aware of your feelings regarding this enormous spending bill.”

Musk’s updates and alerts were coming in quick succession—just minutes or even seconds apart. At 1:17 p.m., he made a post that drew 34.4 million views, stating, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in two years!”

In a follow-up post at 2:13 p.m. that reached 42.6 million views, Musk declared, “No bills should be passed by Congress until January 20, when @RealDonaldTrump takes office. None. Zero.”

Later, at 3:58 p.m., following a flood of support from lawmakers aligned with Musk’s demands, he announced, “Your elected representatives have heard your cries, and now the terrible bill is dead. The voice of the people has prevailed!”

Trump joined the commentary that night, referring to the bipartisan spending bill crafted by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as “a nasty TRAP set by the Radical Left Democrats!”

Michael Steele, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, criticized Trump for Musk’s involvement in derailing the spending bill.

“President-elect @elonmusk feels great about halting the bipartisan funding bill to keep the federal government running,” Steele commented on X, adding that Trump and Johnson must be “proud of his achievement. What a solid start for the upcoming Musk administration.”

However, Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt asserted that Republicans were united under one clear leader.

“The moment President Trump shared his official view on the continuing resolution, Republicans on Capitol Hill shared his perspective,” Leavitt stated, referencing the failed continuing resolution. “President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Period.”

House Republicans rally around leadership

Musk, known for founding Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, has raised alarms about possible conflicts of interest as he aims to reorganize the federal government. Trump and others in his proposed Cabinet and advisory roles have faced similar scrutiny.

Many Republicans view Musk as a significant ally.

Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin welcomed Musk’s participation in the budget debate, noting it’s beneficial to have someone influential in the media advocating for conservative fiscal responsibility.

Some party members criticized Johnson’s handling of the funding bill and questioned whether he should continue as Speaker when Trump assumes office.

Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky even suggested Musk for the Speaker position.

“The Speaker of the House does not need to be a member of Congress…,” Paul tweeted. “Electing Elon Musk would create quite an upheaval in the establishment.”

On Thursday morning, Fox News anchor Stuart Varney questioned Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky about Musk’s influence in the budget discussions.

“Many in Congress were influenced by Musk’s tweets. You were probably checking your phone while those tweets were rolling in,” Varney asked. “Does Musk have excessive influence?”

“No, I don’t believe so,” Barr responded. “This is precisely what the American people voted for.”