Elon " probably the worst politician you could ever get" Errol Musk on Elon's increasing influence
Nightmare before Christmas
Tech billionaire manages to influence Congress, with people on social media hailing him as ‘President Musk’

Trump said to see Elon Musk as useful activist after spending deal showdown
Trump and Musk’s Political Alliance in Spending Deal Showdown
• Musk’s Role in the Spending Deal:
o Elon Musk pressured House Republicans to oppose a bipartisan spending deal to avoid a government shutdown, threatening primary challenges for dissenters.
o His intervention was seen as a “test run” for his role in Trump’s incoming administration, potentially pressuring Congress to advance Trump’s agenda.
• Trump’s Strategic Shift:
o Trump refrained from publicly backing a government shutdown, allowing Musk to take the heat for the threats while benefiting from the results.
o This contrasts with Trump’s first term, where he directly embraced shutdown threats, which backfired with public backlash.
• Musk as a Political Asset:
o Trump views Musk as a “useful catalyst” and potential leader of the proposed “Department of Government Efficiency.”
o Musk acts as an attack dog for Trump, using his wealth and influence to shape Republican priorities, unlike prior aides like Steve Bannon.
• Republican Frustrations:
o Many House Republicans resented Musk’s unelected but significant influence, driven by his financial clout and $250m campaign support for Trump.
o Lawmakers felt pressured to monitor Musk’s statements on X during negotiations, as his threats carried substantial weight.
• Sustained Alliance:
o Despite jokes from Democrats likening Trump to Musk’s subordinate, their partnership remains strong, reflecting Musk’s unique status and influence.
o Trump appears more politically strategic, leveraging Musk as a scapegoat for criticism while maintaining control of broader objectives.
• Broader Implications:
o Musk’s actions signal the growing role of wealthy influencers in shaping legislative agendas.
o His future involvement in Trump’s administration could intensify his impact on U.S. governance and policymaking.
• TECH
• House Democrats say GOP caved to Musk in funding bill, protecting his China interests
• House Democrats Jim McGovern and Rosa DeLauro accused Republican colleagues of bending to Elon Musk’s demands in sinking a bipartisan funding bill.
• Congress passed a stopgap funding bill instead on Saturday, but discarded a provision to screen and regulate U.S. investments in China.
• The scrapped provision “would have made it easier to keep cutting-edge AI and quantum computing tech — as well as jobs — in America,” McGovern wrote on X.