Hillary Clinton, the former U.S. Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, has accused Elon Musk of exerting significant influence over the Republican Party, particularly during the ongoing spending drama on Capitol Hill. Clinton’s comments come amid claims from House Democrats that the influence of “Extreme MAGA” Republicans, many of whom are staunch supporters of Musk, is pushing the country towards a government shutdown.
The U.S. government is facing a potential partial shutdown, set to begin at midnight on Saturday, unless Congress can pass a deal to extend government funding and avoid a shutdown. The deadline to reach an agreement is rapidly approaching, and the failure to pass a deal will lead to the cessation of non-essential government services.
Musk’s role in the shutdown drama became apparent when he voiced strong opposition to a proposed spending deal negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson with Democrats. The original deal aimed to extend government funding until March 2024 while maintaining spending at current levels. Musk, the world’s richest person and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, expressed his disapproval of the deal, even going so far as to threaten to support primary challengers to any Republican who voted in favor of the bill. His strong stance put significant pressure on Republicans, causing many to reconsider their support for the agreement.
In response, House Republicans introduced a new version of the spending bill on Thursday. This revised proposal was more limited, including provisions for disaster relief and a suspension of the debt ceiling for two years, which had been a demand from President-elect Trump. However, despite the changes, the bill failed to gain enough support. Some Republicans refused to back it, and Democrats, largely united in opposition, rejected the measure. Many Democrats, along with some Republicans, appeared frustrated by Musk’s apparent influence over the process, adding another layer of complexity to the political impasse.