This is of course now old news (Tweets have a short life). Republicans and Democrats in the United States House of Representatives concluded negotiations on a massive appropriation bill to keep the government operational until March of next year.
But recall before going further: “to retain respect for sausages and laws avoid watching them in the making”. So please do not take this short take as respect for what is called a Congressional Resolution; shorthand: CR. But here we are. The law says to the Congress RESOLVE or shutdown. So the Committee to make Sausage resolved, Republican and Democrat alike.
Within a very short time Elon Musk, America’s richest man and buddy of the President-Elect, put his thumb down. It is said he posted his disapproval on his web site 70 times. Ten hours later so did Donald Trump. Not a good look.
But then when you assemble a bunch of titanic egos do not expect them to ask permission. Presidents since George Washington have used allies to quietly seed the news media with rumors of this or that. It is an honorable way to gain some sense of both insider and public reaction before emerging from the carefully protected trenches and announcing a decision.
Musk’s trench is his business, X, which used to be Twitter. He uses it as a bullhorn. He has impulses and he posts them. In the case of the CR he put his thumb down on the work of the Congressional committee at 4:15 am Wednesday.
Here is a take from the Wall Street Journal: “Over the course of Wednesday, Musk pressed for Congress to kill the bill. He encouraged his more than 200 million followers on X, the social-media platform that he owns, to call their representatives to vote against it, and he warned that Republicans who voted for it should lose their congressional seats in two years. He also said Congress shouldn’t pass any more legislation until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, which would ensure a partial government shutdown until Jan. 20.”
The obvious question is who is leading who? It is said that Musk gave the various Trump campaign subsidiaries over $200 million. And in the aftermath of the election, Musk became a constant presence with the President. Perhaps he should formally join the Trump family. Changing one’s name is not an expensive affair. Dutifully, I apologize for the snark.
What I don’t apologize for is my concern about the world’s richest man placing himself in a position of at least appearing to be not the President’s whisperer but the President’s voice. It is not only on the atmospherics a bad thing, it portends a clash of egos that cannot do other than undermine the Presidency. Regain control Mr. President-Elect.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
Jay Plager says
I take your point, Al, but don’t you sell Trump a bit short? Based on past experience, I see nothing in Trump’s current behavior to suggest he will yield to even Musk’s money if he doesn’t agree with it. And isn’t there some sense in not having another 1500 page last minute appropriations bill that no one gets to read before they vote on it ? Maybe there is some sense in insisting on a short CR without every congressperson’s favorite gifts appended?
Richard Marks says
Jay,
We both know Al well enough. He is not selling Trump short, but maybe he is hopeful the man will properly recognize the pulpit from which he speaks. Speaking of selling short now is probably good time to do so since this market is headed for a serious downfall with an incoming President who just speaks off the cuff and has no clue on the impact of his words and tweets. His track record in business is laughable. Canadian producers have already raised lumber prices only needing to hear that Trump will apply tariffs. Wonderful news for our builders and any effort to provide affordable housing already under strain. Buckle up in our Teslas. Rough road ahead.
John W. Pettit says
Al: Rather than lay the blame…I call it credit…on Musk, you should take a look at the avalanche of comments on “X.” It seems that hundreds, if not thousands, of comments reflected outrage at the proposed CR. Certainly, Musk fanned the flames, but a lot of ordinary folks were offended at this business-as-usual CR…
Al Sikes says
The CR negotiated by the Speaker among others was an embarrassment. But, that’s not the point. Power is the point and a bunch of titanic egos will not collectively serve us well.
Rodney Tong says
This is a result of Citizens United, one of the worst judicial decisions made by the SCOTUS.
Reed Fawell 3 says
“What I don’t apologize for is my concern about the world’s richest man placing himself in a position of at least appearing to be not the President’s whisperer but the President’s voice.”
I thought Joe Biden was President.
Willard T Engelskirchen says
I did not vote for Musk. I hope those who did are happy. Where do I find his job description in the Constitution?
Charles E. Valier says
Al, the first Amendment guaranties freedom of speech, which Musk exercised. The CR was so weighted down with give aways that someone should have spoken up. Musk did. The problem is he can avoid campaign contribution limits and, thus, has outsized influence on elections. He is not the first billionaire to impose his views on the electorate. George Soros elected dozens of local prosecutors who imposed a regime of leniency for criminals that failed the communities that blindly voted for an untested program by untested politicians. Kim
Gardner in St. Louis is a good example. After seven years of prosecutorial malfeasance she was finally removed and replaced. What Musk has done is child ‘s play compared to Soros. You missed the target.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Musk spreads antisemitic remarks for all his millions to “like”. Let us admit that Gardner actually resigned. Who elected this little billionaire Musk to run the Presidency and the House?? Musk spouts problematic remarks and actions that affect our nation. He compared Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Adolf Hitler to show support for Canadian truckers protesting the country’s COVID vaccination policies. And his remarks since have been hare brained. He is a creep with money.
Furthermore, shortly after Musk’s takeover of Twitter, the platform reinstated Kanye West and other prominent individuals known for their antisemitic views who had been suspended for hate speech. Last October, West, now also known as Ye, notoriously posted antisemitic tropes on his social media accounts, shared antisemitic conspiracy theories with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and later, on Twitter, threatened violence against Jews.
So, this is who you dare to defend?
As I always say about Trump voters, they are worse than Trump because they are adults and should know better. Actually, they are worse people than I thought. There is no honor, love of nation or humanity about them. They are either clueless lobotomized Fox/Sinclare viewers or those with $$ that
care not a whit for democracy.
Remember this:
Musk is not the unelected president, he is the person who bought the presidency in this election because US campaign laws allowed him to do so.
Charles E. Valier says
Kim Gardner only resigned when she was about to be removed. The Circuit Attorney’s office lost every professional staff attorney during her tenure. The office was half the number of attorneys. They were unable to answer docket calls in murder cases. She created a list of police officers in secret whose cases she would not prosecute. The damage to residents of St. Louis was far greater than anything Musk has done.
Deirdre LaMotte says
“far greater than anything Musk has done”
Oh, you mean purchasing the Presidency? Influencing our House of Representatives through vile tweets?
Wow, Charles, that is a new low.
Kent Robertson says
Ms LaMotte,
Your personal attacks are so nasty and hateful that you should be banned from writing here. I fail to understand what it is that you think you gain by attacking others and demonizing them, It’s ugly.
Why not state your case and forego the hostile rhetoric? You might find that some of us would find your remarks worth considering. As is, your ideas don’t get a second glance. Don’t be an angry, hateful person, try to contribute positively to the discussion.
Deirdre LaMotte says
LOL! Poor dear! Maybe read and listen to what your team spews daily. Your projection is amusing and straight from the Trump playbook….attacking facts. You are in step with the fascist.
“Honorable, good people never vote fascist” Dorothy Thompson 1943. Good people could never
support Trump. Ever.
susan delean-botkin says
Well said, Deirdre!
Bill Wieland says
Everyone has a right to express their opinion including you. Musk is no different why not accept it as his opinion. I’m getting sick of all the turmoil people like you continue with all the negative comments. Try to find something positive to discuss !
William Keppen says
Outsourcing the normal functions of a president will allow him much more time to golf and also gives him someone to blame when things go wrong. Get it”