Sen. Rand Paul suggests Musk as a potential replacement for Speaker Johnson during debt ceiling discussions
In the midst of turmoil on Capitol Hill, sparked by President-elect Donald Trump, Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is proposing a shift in Washington’s leadership and is considering tech billionaire Elon Musk for the role.
“The Speaker of the House does not have to be a member of Congress,” Paul stated in a post on X (previously Twitter), Musk’s platform. “Electing Elon Musk would truly disrupt the status quo just imagine nothing is off the table. (And it would certainly cause the establishment, aka the ‘uniparty,’ to completely freak out).”
Paul’s unexpected proposal to replace House Speaker Mike Johnson with someone who is not a member of Congress comes as tensions rise over federal spending and increasing dissent against the Louisiana representative, hinting at further conflicts regarding leadership in the Republican-controlled chamber.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a member of the Freedom Caucus from Georgia, voiced her endorsement of Musk on X, stating, “The establishment must be dismantled just like it was yesterday.” She continued: “This could be our chance.”
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance released a joint statement on Wednesday, opposing the spending agreement reached by House Democrats and Republicans that would prevent a government shutdown. They instead advocated for an increase in the debt ceiling and reductions in proposed spending.
“Republicans need to be SMART and TOUGH,” they declared. “If Democrats threaten a government shutdown unless we concede to all their demands, we should CALL THEIR BLUFF.”
However, Trump assured Fox News Digital on Thursday that Johnson would “easily keep his position as speaker” if he “acts decisively and firmly” and avoids “all the traps set by Democrats.”
Republican legislators are scheduled to convene on Thursday. Current government funding will expire at midnight on Saturday morning, December 21.