On Friday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), a veteran congresswoman who has served since 1991, went off on a tirade against “President Musk,” accusing the tech mogul of derailing a crucial bipartisan spending bill designed to prevent a government shutdown. In an impassioned speech on the House floor, DeLauro lashed out at Elon Musk for using his significant influence over Republicans to pressure them into adopting a more conservative bill—or else face a shutdown during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
“We agreed on a bill, and you know what? They got scared because President Musk told them, ‘Don’t do it, don’t do it, shut the government down,’” DeLauro yelled, clearly frustrated. “What does he know about what people go through when the government shuts down?” DeLauro, known for her colorful purple hair and fiery speeches, continued her rant, blasting Musk for not having to deal with the real-world consequences of a shutdown. “Are his employees furloughed? Hell no! Is he furloughed? No!” she fumed, pointing out that government workers and federal contractors would bear the brunt of any closure, unlike Musk, whose company employees would not be affected.
Rep Rosa DeLauro (D) has a meltdown over Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/C2sYHQfnuA
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 20, 2024
The recent drama centers around a critical spending measure aimed at keeping the government open until the end of the year. However, a growing number of conservatives, including Musk, have opposed the bill, arguing that it’s too bloated and includes concessions to Democrats. Musk’s statement on social media, where he urged Republicans to “kill the bill” and stand firm against Democratic demands, has sent shockwaves through Washington. This is particularly significant considering Musk’s newfound influence in conservative circles following his vocal support of President-elect Trump in the 2024 election.
Musk’s position has been gaining traction with Republican lawmakers, and his close ties to Trump have further solidified his influence. Musk’s creation of a new “Department of Government Efficiency” alongside former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has also put him at odds with liberal lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who has criticized Musk’s potential conflicts of interest.
Meanwhile, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has openly floated Musk as a potential candidate for Speaker of the House if current Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) struggles to secure a deal on the spending bill. Her suggestion was echoed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who noted that electing Musk to such a high position would “disrupt the swamp” and be a nightmare for the political establishment.
With tensions rising and divisions deepening within the Republican Party, it’s clear that Musk’s influence is reshaping Washington in ways that DeLauro and many Democrats find frustrating. The question now is whether the growing momentum behind Musk’s populist brand of leadership will find its way into the halls of Congress—perhaps in the form of a new Speaker or even more drastic shifts in how the GOP handles the government’s spending crisis.
She looks like some whacko, not a congresswoman and she sounds even worse… what a nut job!