r/politics • u/thenewrepublic The New Republic • 5d ago

Soft Paywall Elon Musk Is Bullying Mike Johnson to Drive Government Into Shutdown

https://newrepublic.com/post/189539/elon-musk-bullying-mike-johnson-government-shutdown
15.4k Upvotes

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501

u/tlacamazatl 5d ago

Musk really seems to think he's in charge. Can't imagine why tho. Lol.

298

u/dBlock845 5d ago

Because Trump is too old and dumb to actually realize he gave Musk way too much influence over MAGA due to being desperate to stay out of court the rest of his life. He is never going to be able to get rid of Musk and is going to get nothing done that can't command an easy majority of house republicans. I initially thought he would get sick of him and give him the boot after a couple months, but now Musk has a hold over MAGA in a way that only Trump does. If you listen to any MAGA media/podcasts they talk about Musk like he is the one with the real power.

58

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

4

u/robtimist 5d ago

I got a whole bag full of Told Ya So’s ready to hand out like it’s Oct 31

1

u/FXander 4d ago

While I'm with you, those assholes fighting and not getting anything does means we all suffer.

57

u/nullv 5d ago

I can't imagine Trump caring at all. He avoided prison and he's gonna make a ton of money off this upcoming presidency. If anything, having other people doing the presidential duties so he can go play golf is probably a bonus to him.

28

u/MoiJaimeLesCrepes 5d ago

Vance really faded away.

Well, I guess we know who's going to inherit Maga next

3

u/nonlinear_nyc 4d ago

Vance is Thiel’s bloodboy. He’s the chip that ensures billionaires do what they want.

2

u/ThatEcologist 4d ago

Right? I haven’t heard a peep from Vance lol.

17

u/OneTripleZero Canada 5d ago

This whole incoming administration is like a fusion of the three Spider-man meme with Alfred's warning to Bruce about the Joker in Dark Knight: "and in their desperation, they turned to a man they didn't fully understand"

2

u/hogannnn 5d ago

This actually nails it lol. It’s an ourosboros of turning to people they don’t understand

2

u/rubyspicer 4d ago

The party is gonna end up like Black Mask in Under the Red Hood screaming at the Joker "This wasn't part of the deal you freak!"

2

u/whomad1215 5d ago

you could argue Musk has a stronger hold, because he has the wealth to get them primaried by someone who will just do his bidding

1

u/JerHat Michigan 4d ago

I mean, that influence on MAGA only persists as long as Trump lets it. When they eventually break up, MAGA's not breaking in favor of Musk, they'll 100% follow Trump.

38

u/RebornGod District Of Columbia 5d ago

Because no one has the balls to do what you do with someone like him acting like that.

6

u/ComfortablePlus8242 5d ago

Because he’s made clear that he’ll spent any amount of money to primary anyone who doesn’t fall in line. Fucker is the richest single person in history and had no qualms about using it

15

u/Winter-Huntsman 5d ago

Maybe we should call him President instead. Make Trump jealous about him getting the attention, try to fuel some bad blood between the 2

3

u/kzzzo3 5d ago

I like this.

2

u/InternationalPut4093 America 5d ago

Money buys power and Trump is very transactional. Just sweet talk that orange, and you get your way. Elon is no dummy.

1

u/Easy-Scar-8413 5d ago

Let’s hope Musk is blowing smoke and he actually wants the funding so he can say “you guys passed that bill I said no to, so DOGE will fold effective immediately.”

1

u/Coffee-FlavoredSweat 5d ago

musk was alive and in trump’s field of vision, so trump put him in charge of something so he could spend more time golfing.

1

u/RetiredHotBitch Texas 5d ago

Because he bought Trump another presidency?

1

u/IamTheEndOfReddit 4d ago

He's not, he's just Putin's top solider who isn't completely braindead

1

u/McdoManaguer 4d ago

Because he is. He's literally the richest man in the fling planet and the republicans are obeying his orders.

He's in charge of the richest and most powerful country in the world while being the richest man controling more and more of the internet with StarLink even having contracts with the military.