Elon Musk Influences Congressional Funding Debate

Elon Musk played a pivotal role in derailing a bipartisan funding proposal aimed at avoiding a government shutdown, utilizing over 100 posts on X to spread misinformation about the bill. His claims included a false assertion that the plan would grant lawmakers a 40% pay raise, while the actual maximum increase would have been 3.8%, according to the Congressional Research Service. Political science professor John Mark Hansen noted that Musk's influence suggests he may rival Trump in congressional dealings, raising concerns about his ability to maneuver through factual realities. Additionally, Congressman Rosa DeLauro accused Musk of exploiting potential conflicts of interest to sabotage the budget bill, which included provisions affecting his business operations in China. The rejected bill's failure leaves the possibility of a government shutdown still looming, as the upper house has yet to vote. Critics have labeled Musk a 'shadow president' due to his significant sway in political matters.