"Ma Minister" leads the charge, Trump and Vance echo—will DOGE's first battle shut down the U.S. government?
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"Ma Minister" leads the charge, Trump and Vance echo—will DOGE's first battle shut down the U.S. government?
The public battle over the interim bill is also an early test of Musk's and his DOGE team's political power.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsBy Ye Zhen, Wall Street Insights
A temporary bill aimed at preventing a U.S. government shutdown is facing opposition from Elon Musk, with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance adding fuel to the fire by publicly criticizing it, increasing the difficulty of its passage on Friday.
On Tuesday this week, in an effort to avoid a government shutdown, the U.S. Congress released the text of a stopgap funding bill that would finance the federal government until next March. The previous temporary funding bill passed by Congress in September is set to expire on the 20th of this month, requiring new legislative action before then to keep the federal government running and prevent a "shutdown."
What happened?
This bill, which was expected to pass smoothly, has come under fierce attack from Trump allies, most notably Elon Musk, who is set to serve as co-chair of Trump’s proposed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE).
On Wednesday local time, Musk posted more than twenty messages on social media, attacking the bill from multiple angles. He mocked the over-1,500-page legislation as “the largest pork-laden bill in history” and urged members of Congress to vote against it.
He criticized provisions in the bill such as congressional pay raises, calling them inappropriate at a time when many Americans are “struggling” during the Christmas season. Musk even threatened that any lawmaker voting for this “abhorrent spending bill” should be voted out of office two years later.
Trump and vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance also publicly condemned the bill, arguing that Republicans should call Democrats’ bluff and allow the government to shut down.
Trump stated his opposition to the bipartisan agreement reached by congressional leaders to avoid a partial government shutdown this weekend, insisting lawmakers scrap the deal and instead pass a narrower bill that preserves aid while dropping other measures—and immediately raise the federal debt ceiling ahead of next year’s borrowing limit deadline.
Why it matters?
Due to opposition from Musk and Trump, it has become uncertain whether the bill will pass before the deadline.
Musk labeled the bill “criminal,” and his statements on social media have already sparked divisions within the Republican Party, potentially influencing how Republican lawmakers vote.
Some conservative lawmakers, such as Ralph Norman and Byron Donalds, expressed support for Musk’s position. However, moderate Republicans like Don Bacon argued Musk’s judgment was “premature,” noting the bill includes many “wins” for Republicans.
Facing pressure from the Trump camp, House Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself in a difficult position. In media interviews, he said he had communicated with both Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the other co-chair of DOGE, explaining the context behind the bill. Johnson emphasized that given Democrats still control the Senate and White House, this is the best outcome Republicans can currently achieve. Yet, Johnson’s explanation appears to have done little to assuage concerns from Musk and others.
The public battle over the stopgap bill also serves as an early test of Musk’s and DOGE’s political influence.
Analysts suggest this incident may foreshadow a new dynamic for Republicans next year. Musk and other Trump allies could increasingly shape the party's legislative agenda—offering private advice first, then publicly inciting opposition online and through conservative media when dissatisfied with outcomes.
The current turmoil over the spending bill is not just about avoiding a government shutdown; it is also a microcosm of the power struggle between the Trump faction and traditional Republicans. Musk has already demonstrated his influence within the party, offering a preview of governance direction under a potential Trump administration.
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