Report: Trump Approved Musk’s Posts Criticizing Spending Bill
President-elect Donald Trump reportedly approved Elon Musk’s sharp criticisms of the proposed government spending bill, a move that contributed to its collapse in Congress. According to a report, Trump spoke with Musk before the tech billionaire’s posts on X, formerly Twitter, which labeled the bill as wasteful and unnecessary.
How can this be called a “continuing resolution” if it includes a 40% pay increase for Congress? https://t.co/qFFUP0eUOH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024
“I told him that if he agrees with me, that he could put out a statement,” Trump revealed in a phone call with NBC News. “He’s looking at things from a cost standpoint.” Trump added that he and Musk share similar views on fiscal responsibility, describing their positions as “very much on track.”
This is insane and has nothing to do with a “continuing resolution”! https://t.co/VKFnDiysF8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024
Musk’s posts on Wednesday included statements like “This bill should not pass” and a photograph of the 1,500+ page bill with the caption, “Ever seen a bigger piece of pork?” His comments quickly gained traction, fueling conservative backlash against the legislation.
Trump also addressed broader fiscal issues during his call, including the debt ceiling. He argued for eliminating the debt ceiling entirely, calling it the “smartest thing” Congress could do. Trump’s comments align with those of progressive Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who agreed with the president-elect in a surprising show of bipartisanship. “I agree with President-elect Trump that Congress should terminate the debt limit and never again govern by hostage taking,” Warren wrote in a post.
Elon Musk’s son, X Æ A-Xii, advises father: “Save America. Help Trump.”
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/1jwawvcXfl
— AF Post (@AFpost) December 9, 2024
The spending bill’s failure has put House Speaker Mike Johnson under intense scrutiny. Johnson, who pushed the proposal, faced backlash from Trump and conservatives after the bill was widely criticized as a “Democrat trap.” When asked about his confidence in Johnson’s leadership, Trump replied, “We’ll see.”