Elon Musk and Republicans are shutting down criticism from Democrats who are accusing the billionaire of running the GOP, even going so far as to say that he is trying to usurp authority from President-elect Donald Trump. According to the Washington Examiner, Musk agreed with commentators on X who threw their support behind him with one noting that “for the first time, thanks to X, the public is seeing what is actually happening in our government at scale.”

Musk, who was appointed by President-elect Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficacy (DOGE), voiced his critical opinion of the continuing resolution meant to keep the government funded through March 2025. In a series of posts, Musk argued that the bill, which was 1,547 pages, “contained major spending increases, a host of unrelated provisions, including pay raises for lawmakers, and changes to the law,” the Washington Examiner reports.

Musk came under criticism after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) pulled the bill Wednesday evening, but Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s top communications spokeswoman, pointed out that Johnson pulled the bill just hours after Trump announced his opposition to it on Wednesday evening.

“As soon as President Trump released his official stance on the CR, Republicans on Capitol Hill echoed his point of view. President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Full stop,” Leavitt said.

FOX and Friends co-host Lawrence Jones also defended their work, pointing out that Elon Musk and President-elect Trump are “in lockstep on this.”

“This is why the president appointed him for this [DOGE] commission – him and Vivek – they are doing what the president wants them to do,” Jones added.

While Republicans view Musk as influential, they do not see that he is more powerful than Trump or that he is trying to become more powerful than Trump. With his financial success and insight, Musk has caught the attention of many and his input is obviously valued by Trump after the President-elect asked Musk to join his administration with the DOGE.

Still, Democrats are looking for drama within the circumstances. “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg questioned who is in charge, the New York Post wrote. Goldberg quipped on the show, “I’ve been saying it – I think Elon Musk believes he’s president. I do.” Goldberg even took her attack to Vice President JD Vance saying she’s also referred to Musk as “vice president” because she does not “know what JD is doing.”
ly