Democrats are considering a partnership with Elon Musk, the former head of a government efficiency agency, despite some party members labeling him a “fascist” due to concerns about his ties to President Donald Trump and the spending practices during the Trump administration.
California Representative Ro Khanna expressed on X that if Biden had criticized Musk, Trump would have likely embraced him the next day. Khanna highlighted Musk’s previous refusal to engage with Robert Kennedy Jr. and pointed out that Trump had welcomed Musk then. “We can either be the party of moral lectures or the party of FDR that knows how to build a progressive majority,” he posited.
Khanna mentioned to Politico that Democrats should attempt to win Musk over, suggesting he agrees with many Democratic values.
“The commitment to funding scientific research, to clean technology, and supporting international students like him,” he said, adding context to Musk’s involvement.
Democratic Representative Richie Torres voiced support for Musk’s criticisms regarding legislation, while acknowledging the damage Musk has caused. He mentioned that many Democrats see his actions, particularly regarding the federal workforce, as deeply problematic.
John Favreau, a former speechwriter for President Obama, supported Musk’s stance on one specific bill, saying he couldn’t agree more: “Kill the bill.”
Musk currently has a public dispute with Trump over a significant legislative bill progressing through Congress, which aims to fund various initiatives. Recently, Musk described the bill as “nasty” and filled with excess, expressing his discontent on X. “I’m embarrassed by those who voted for it,” he stated.
Some Democrats have rallied around Musk’s views, while others have harshly criticized him, calling him an unelected billionaire influencing White House decisions. Concerns about discrimination and extremist sentiments arose earlier when Musk was perceived to align too closely with certain gestures during a public event.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez commented on this, distancing herself from those gestures and making it clear she does not align with such sentiments.
New York official Jerry Nadler condemned the gestures tied to Musk and labeled them as unacceptable in society. Former Democrat Jamal Bowman spoke harshly about Musk, using strong language to describe his actions and character.
Senator Ed Markey, at an anti-Doge rally, labeled Musk a “dictator,” highlighting ongoing tensions within the party concerning his impact.
Despite these tensions, many lawmakers struggle with the implications of supporting significant legislation that could add to national debt. Senator Paul remarked on the complexities of wanting to make tax cuts permanent without raising the debt ceiling.
Trump also reacted to Musk’s comments, expressing disappointment during a meeting and questioning how their relationship could survive the public disagreement. “Elon knew more about this bill than most,” Trump remarked, expressing confusion over Musk’s sudden change in stance.
The back-and-forth then escalated on social media, with Trump stating that Musk’s electric vehicle initiatives were problematic, a claim Musk quickly refuted, dubbing it an “obvious lie.” The unfolding dynamic between the two continues to be a significant focus, reflecting the unpredictability of their relationship.
