Hillary Clinton Criticizes Elon Musk’s Influence Over U.S. Spending Standoff
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed concern over the ongoing spending impasse in Congress, accusing billionaire Elon Musk of wielding undue influence over Republican lawmakers. With a government shutdown looming, Clinton criticized the potential consequences of the gridlock, particularly its impact on military personnel and vulnerable Americans.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Clinton remarked, “If you’re just catching up: the Republican Party, taking orders from the world’s richest man, is on course to shut down the government over the holidays. Stopping paychecks for our troops and nutrition benefits for low-income families just in time for Christmas.”
The U.S. government faces a partial shutdown at midnight on Saturday unless lawmakers can reach an agreement. The initial deal, brokered by House Speaker Mike Johnson with Democratic leaders, proposed extending government funding through March while maintaining 2024 spending levels. Musk, however, opposed the plan, threatening to back primary challenges against any Republican who supported it. His influence reportedly prompted House Republicans to draft a revised version.
The updated proposal, introduced on Thursday, included provisions for disaster aid and a two-year suspension of the debt ceiling, a measure requested by President-elect Donald Trump. Despite these revisions, the plan failed to pass in the House due to resistance from within the Republican Party and unified opposition from Democrats.
Musk’s involvement in the debate has sparked significant backlash, with critics accusing him of using his wealth and status to shape public policy. His opposition to the original spending agreement has been seen by many as a complicating factor in the already contentious negotiations.
If no deal is reached, the shutdown will disrupt federal services, halt pay for government workers, including the military, and impact critical programs such as food assistance for low-income families. The standoff highlights deep political divisions and raises questions about the role of influential private citizens in public governance.
