The involvement of Elon Musk, the richest living Trump supporter, in nearly forcing a government shutdown this week has reignited calls for campaign finance reform nationally and within the Democratic Party. There is.
As part of his campaign against the bipartisan Continuing Resolution (CR), which would fund the government through March 14, Musk announced that Republicans who voted in favor of the bill will not be able to take their seats during the 2026 midterm elections. should lose, and said he would give money to moderate Democratic primary challengers. In a safe area.
“The threat of unrestricted super PAC spending by the world’s richest man could have been enough to shut down the federal government days before Christmas,” said Joseph Guivarghese, executive director of Our Revolution. He told Common Dreams. “If ever there was a time to discuss serious campaign finance reform, it is now. We are entering a new era of American oligarchy, and unless we take decisive action, our democracy will be threatened.” Integrity is at risk.”
“Why don’t the House add campaign finance reform to CR so Republicans and Democrats alike stop worrying about what billionaire parents and kids are thinking before voting on bills like this?” Do you?”
Even before the government shutdown showdown began, Musk already had incredible influence in politics as a financial backer. In 2024, it spent at least $277 million on the campaigns of President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, including more than $19 million in the House races alone. Musk also spoke at Trump campaign rallies and was tapped by the president-elect to co-lead the new Office of Government Efficiency with fellow billionaire Vivekramaswamy.
But his efforts to defeat the spending bill unveiled by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) on Tuesday raised new concerns about his influence over elected politicians. . His first barrage of complaints against CR, posted on his social media site X on Wednesday, prompted statements of opposition to the bill by Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Mr Johnson never brought the bill to a vote.
As part of his initial tweetstorm on Wednesday, Musk wrote, “Any Representative or Senator who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out within 2 years!”
In response to Musk’s threats, Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor Thursday.
“Can you imagine what the next two years would be like if every time Congress got its way, a tweet would be posted? Or an individual with no official portfolio would threaten a member of the Republican side in a primary, and they would Give in?” Neil said.
Musk responded to a video of Neal’s speech saying, “Oh…I forgot to mention, we’re also going to fund moderate candidates in heavily Democratic districts so the country doesn’t represent them. Candidates can be eliminated,” he tweeted. , like this idiot. ”
The statement sparked anger and resistance from Congressional Democrats.
“Everyone knows I’m always ready,” Neal told Business Insider as the Democratic Ways and Means Committee tweeted a sarcastic meme.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for change on social media on Friday, calling for “Republicans and Democrats alike to stop being so afraid of what a billionaire family thinks before they vote.” “What if the House added campaign finance reform to CR?” Is there anything around here? ”
Ultimately, after another Republican-led spending bill failed to pass the House of Representatives on Thursday, Johnson introduced the Pair Down CR, which includes key Democratic measures such as disaster relief and support for farmers. The bill passed the House on Friday and the Senate early Saturday, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown that would have stripped hundreds of thousands of federal workers of their furlough pay.
But Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) said Musk’s intervention set a precedent that “will unsettle every American who believes in our democratic form of government.”
Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich wrote in his Substack on Friday, “Musk is self-absorbed and is using his unlimited wealth and ownership of Company X to create an authoritarian shift in American politics.” They are trying to turn it to the right.”
“Wealth inequality is rapidly eroding our democracy,” Reich continued. “Mr. Musk is the poster boy for the wealth tax.”
Musk’s primary challenge to Neal has fueled calls for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to ban super PAC spending in primaries.
“Elon Musk, who is worth $455 billion, spent $277 million buying the Republican Party,” Warren Gunnels, Sanders’ staff director, posted on social media on Friday. “He also promised to replace Democrats in the primaries with people who represent his own special interests. If the DNC does not ban super PACs in the primaries, this is where this situation will be in two years. Are you there?”
“The DNC must ban dark money and limit campaign finance in all Democratic primaries,” Reich said. It should be an important part of our strategy.”
