US President-elect Donald Trump blocked a bipartisan budget deal on Wednesday, claiming it favored Democrats, bringing the government closer to the verge of shutting down. Trump’s action followed criticism of the bill from billionaire Elon Musk, who encouraged Republicans to oppose it.
Trump escalated tensions Wednesday by urging Republicans to reject the bill and instead pass a streamlined funding measure tied to a debt ceiling increase during President Biden’s term. Trump’s intervention derailed the bill when he insisted that legislators should approve a “temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS,” whilst simultaneously linking it to a debt ceiling increase. “We should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and the Democrats everything they want,” Trump declared in his statement.
Trump further advocated that Republicans must incorporate the debt ceiling increase within the spending package, ensuring the borrowing limit would rise during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
He warned that any Republican who supported a funding extension without addressing the debt ceiling would face electoral challenges, stating that those “would be so stupid” to do so “should and will” confront primary opposition.
In a joint statement with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Trump said, “Increasing the debt ceiling is not great but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch. If Democrats won’t cooperate on a debt ceiling increase now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration? Let’s have this debate over the debt ceiling now.”
Elon Musk further intensified opposition by attacking the bill on social media, describing it as “one of the worst bills ever written.” He later declared, “The voice of the people was heard. This was a good day for America.”
Musk further said, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk wrote.
With just two days remaining before the deadline, the standoff leaves the government at the brink of a shutdown, threatening vital services and creating uncertainty for millions of Americans.
The White House criticized the impasse, warning of severe consequences if the government shuts down. “Republicans need to stop playing politics with this bipartisan agreement or they will hurt hardworking Americans and create instability across the country,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed the sentiment and placed blame on Republicans for the aftermath. “You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow,” he wrote.
On the contrary, Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, expressed concern. “There’s got to be a second part of the strategy,” he said. Others, including Rep. Dan Bishop, a North Carolina Republican, celebrated Musk’s influence. “In five years in Congress, I’ve been awaiting a fundamental change in the dynamic,” Bishop posted. “It has arrived.”
Trump’s move also creates uncertainty for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who negotiated the deal and faces re-election.
