Summary

Musk is trying to backtrack on his previous demands to shut down the government.

Elon Musk initially supported a government shutdown, criticizing Republicans who backed a continuing resolution and calling for no new bills until Donald Trump retakes office.

His posts on X encouraged GOP hardliners and contributed to chaos in Congress.

After a bipartisan spending bill failed to pass, Musk blamed Democrats, ignoring that 38 Republicans also voted against it.

Facing backlash for his earlier remarks, Musk is now deflecting responsibility as House Speaker Mike Johnson struggles to avoid a shutdown.

  • AnIndefiniteArticle@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    I wonder if Trump will scapegoat Elon for this and fire him before taking office to prove that he works alone.

    Firing Elon would deflate Musk’s stocks and net worth, maybe even knock him off the richest man slot. A lot of that wealth is speculative gains priced into the market under the assumption that Musk will be very influential in Trump 47, and that he will use that position to benefit his businesses.

    Trump wants to send the message that he, as president of the united states, has the power to dethrone the world’s richest man with a simple “you’re fired”. Trump wants to make sure that the world knows that he rules alone, and that he has more power than money can buy.

    Trump doesn’t need to get reelected again. He doesn’t need Elon manipulating the twitter algo anymore. Donny already won and got everything he wanted from Elon (assumption). Why should he keep playing with Musk if he’s just going to keep getting tied up in all this stupid drama?

    Seems very Trump-like to knock him down a peg for his hubris and let him come crawling back in a year or two. I think most of the world agrees that someone needs to do something about Musk’s ego. It would probably give him a popularity boost to start his new term.

    disclaimer: this is a prediction, not a recommendation or an approval of these tactics.

    • spujb@lemmy.cafe
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      20 hours ago

      i selfishly approve and with limited cognition recommend these tactics

      trump and elon are the two biggest divas on the planet and i hope the inevitable fallout between them hurts as many rich people (emotionally) as much as possible

      too much fucking pride in this country. be ashamed for once, fuckers.

    • Geobloke@lemm.ee
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      22 hours ago

      Hundred per cent, Donny is using Elon and will throw him under the bus at the first chance. You know what looks worse than a normal loser? A billionaire loser

      • rumba@lemmy.zip
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        12 hours ago

        using Elon and will throw him under the bus at the first chance

        I think you’re giving him far too much credit. Elon is there because DT lacks object permanence. Once elon dissapears for 10 minutes, or DT sees some advantage to throwing him under the bus, he’ll be gone. He doesn’t have the mental capacity to use someone, he’s like 2yo playing in the living room with toys.

        • Geobloke@lemm.ee
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          8 hours ago

          I don’t think you’re giving him enough credit. He won the presidency twice despite an array of charges that threatened to put him in gaol and would’ve ended the political career of anyone else. You shouldn’t like him, but underestimate him at your own risk