Democrats Slam “Unelected Co-President” Elon Musk for Outsized Influence

Democrats Slam “Unelected Co-President” Elon Musk for Outsized Influence

Democratic lawmakers are voicing outrage over what they see as Elon Musk’s excessive sway in the policymaking process, branding him an “unelected co-president” due to his prominent role in derailing a federal funding deal and influencing Republican strategy.

Why It Matters

Musk’s outspoken opposition to a bipartisan government funding agreement pushed the U.S. closer to a potential holiday shutdown, earning him praise from some Republicans and sharp criticism from Democrats.

Republican figures like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have even suggested Musk as a replacement for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), underscoring his growing clout within GOP circles.

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Democratic Outrage

Emerging from a closed-door caucus meeting, Democrats didn’t hold back in criticizing Musk’s perceived role in the Trump administration’s orbit.

• “If this is the type of power he has, then he is going to be the unelected co-president of this country, and we’ve got to be super blunt about it,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.).
• Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) added, “He’s president, and Trump is now vice president.”
• “A lot of Republicans are pushing for him to become speaker of the House, which might be a demotion for him because he’s basically the fourth branch of the government,” quipped Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).

Strategic Concerns

Some Democrats see Musk’s elevated profile as an opportunity to highlight divisions within the Republican Party, particularly between Trump and Musk.

• Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) has been posting AI-generated memes mocking their relationship, including one depicting Musk as king and Trump as his jester.
• “At some point, Trump is not going to accept that Musk is calling the shots. So I’m investing in popcorn for the next year,” Pocan told Axios.

Genuine Alarm

Beyond the political theater, several Democrats expressed deep concern over Musk’s perceived dominance in governance.

• “It’s rage. It’s not just frustration—it’s rage that we are in a place right now where the House GOP is allowing our government, wholesale, to be bought,” said Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.).
• “He’s not American. He doesn’t know about our democracy or our processes,” said Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), referencing Musk’s South African origins before his naturalization as a U.S. citizen in 2002.

The Bottom Line

Democrats warn that Musk’s influence could undermine the legitimacy of government decision-making.

“I’m going to be talking to my folks back home in Vermont who voted for Trump: You thought you voted for Trump, but in fact, Trump just caved to Musk,” said Balint. “It’s terrifying.”

As Musk’s role in Republican politics grows, so does the debate over the implications of his influence on American democracy.