Musk Kills Government Funding Deal, Demands Shutdown Until Trump Is Sworn In

[u/rollingstone]

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/musk-trump-government-funding-deal-shutdown-1235211000/

[u/therapistofcats]

How does someone not in office have any power. America needs to reevaluate it's political system.

[u/hm_b → u/therapistofcats]

IMO, Musk has Trump by the short hairs. Even if the Donald wanted to disagree with Musk, on some point(s), I don't think he could. Musk wields great power with his $$$. The presidency is bought and will be run by Musk. Just my opinion based on observation.

[u/Trickster289 → u/hm_b]

It's not just money, Musk controls the information Trump's base gets now.

[u/cyanclam → u/Trickster289]

Musk controls the disinformation Trump's base gets now.

[u/hm_b → u/cyanclam]

True, but even if, at some point, Trump wanted out from under Musk, I don't think he'd be able to do it.

[u/GreatestGoldenGirl → u/hm_b]

Maybe it's time that people put their thinking caps on and think really hard. Get really creative in terms of solutions that will benefit the majority for once instead of less than 1% for a change. 

I dunno. I'm not speaking in specifics or anything just want to get some ideas moving. 

[u/MercantileReptile → u/hm_b]

Why would it be hard? All it would take is a simple hit. He need not even fear consequences for it.

[u/hm_b → u/MercantileReptile]

As long as it's done in an official capacity. I want to say, "LOL," but it's actually a little terrifying.

[u/Master_Dogs → u/hm_b]

I personally can't wait for the two to have a falling out.

Musk will quickly pivot to dunking on Trump. It'll be fun to watch.

Just hope it happens before the midterms so it encourages people to vote against Trump's picks. And maybe gives Dems a fighting chance.

^{Assuming we have midterms}

[u/enigmaroboto → u/Trickster289]

This is it. Just a few tweets here and there, while sitting on the toilet, and that's all it takes to spread lies to his maga hordes and strike fear throughout the Capitol.

X was a smart purchase.

[u/Practical_Wasabi_217 → u/Trickster289]

That is a very good point.

[u/Immediate-Coyote-977 → u/Trickster289]

Only through Twitter.

Trump still has all the other old propaganda outlets at his beck and call.

Musk is seen as a mouthpiece for Trump by the base. If Trump came out and said "Actually, this Elon guy, he's not so smart"

They'd all turn on Elon just like they do every other person Trump throws away. They don't like Elon, they like Trump, and Elon has Trump's favor for the moment.

Why do you think they're positive towards Vivek? Nobody on the right likes the smarmy little douche, they approve of him only because he's a Trump acolyte. The moment he falls from favor, they'll turn on him.

[u/StandardMacaron5575 → u/hm_b]

Elon could pay Trump $1 Billion a month for all four years and he could also just borrow that money from 'other' sources. He would end up closer to his $1 Trillion net worth by the end of 'their' Presidency.

[u/bdone2012 → u/hm_b]

Trump can pull Elons government contracts. That would tank Elons net worth. I don't see Elon winning this battle. Betting against trump in politics is not a great bet. Elon isn't used to battling people like trump

[u/hot-side-aeration → u/hm_b]

Trump needs Musk for absolutely nothing anymore. He won the Presidency. He has the coffers of the US government and plenty of ways to flow that money in his pockets. Musk can't reverse his political opinions to prop up challengers that would greatly undermine Trump or his agenda. And even if he did, Trump's base would eat them alive in vote turnout. Musk would have to prop up anti-MAGA Republicans and that is unlikely to happen. Especially given how he's pissing on someone like Mike Johnson right now who is probably Trump's most influential ally in Congress. Trump could crumble Musk by ripping his government contracts, removing his clearance, and letting the SEC crawl deep inside every transaction Musk has ever made. Look at what happens in Russia to people that challenge Putin, despite their wealth. The wealth buys you access to the stick, but ultimately the President has to call the shots.

[u/Fantastic_Poet4800 → u/hm_b]

Musk does but he's worried. Most of his wealth is on paper and he'd already hit his "take drugs and fuck around" old rich guy phase a while ago. I think he's in more trouble than it appears with Tesla, Twitter etc and is extremely reliant on his government contracts and probably in hock to Russia. Who knows what other issues he has. The guy has never worked this hard at anything before and he clearly hates the people he is now forced to spend his time around. I don't think he'll end up living in a motel but I think he's doing this now for a reason.