House Democrat: 'Unelected oligarch' Musk 'governing by tweet'

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) criticized President-elect Trump for allowing SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to “govern” through a series of social media posts that effectively helped to delay passage of a stopgap funding bill that would prevent a government shutdown ahead of the holidays.

“It's one thing when you have Donald Trump governing by tweet, as he did in his first term, where he was in communication with Congress, but now you have Elon Musk, an unelected oligarch, governing by tweet,” Goldman said Wednesday on CNN's "AC360."

“This is absurd," he added, decrying that the move "is putting us on the brink of a government shutdown."

Musk called the text in the continuing resolution (CR) — which would fund the government through March — a “piece of pork” and said those who vote in favor of the bill should “be voted out in 2 years.” Trump originally suggested a "clean" CR paired with a debt ceiling increase, but later shifted to siding with the tech billionaire, whom he tapped to lead his brand-new "Department of Government Efficiency" alongside his former primary rival Vivek Ramaswamy, who also denounced the spending bill.

Goldman also noted that Trump often complies with Musk, who he declared a $300 million “benefactor” for his successful reelection bid. 

“As the shadow Pres-Elect, Elon Musk is now calling the shots for House Rs on government funding while Trump hides in Mar-a-Lago behind his handlers,” Goldman posted Wednesday afternoon on the social platform X, which is owned by Musk.

"It increasingly seems like we’re in for 4 years of an unelected oligarch running the country by pulling on his puppet’s strings," he added.

Later that evening, Vice-President elect JD Vance visited the Capitol to help Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) essentially rewrite the bill to draw more Republican support. 

The latest spending fight comes as Johnson prepares for a critical Jan. 3 vote that will determine if he gets to keep his Speaker's gavel, as some GOP lawmakers have questioned their support for the Louisiana Republican.