Democrats’ New Attack On Trump And Musk All But Doomed To Backfire

President-elect Donald Trump has not taken office yet, and Democrats are already trotting out a bogus attack that is all but doomed to backfire.

After Elon Musk threw down the gauntlet over the swamp’s initial Christmas Continuing Resolution, which was chock full of pork and more sinister provisions, House Democrats converged on a new talking point almost immediately: this eccentric tech billionaire, not Trump, is “calling the shots.” (RELATED: There’s Nothing In The Least Bit Scary About A So-Called ‘Government Shutdown’)

The more I learn, the more obvious it becomes that this spending bill is a crime.

It even includes funding for the worst illegal censorship operation in the entire government (GEC)!! https://t.co/P8a3m0OpJR

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024

This crazy bill needs to stop now https://t.co/2hBQXNHckC

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024

“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,” the young Democratic Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost said.

I’m just gonna leave this right here… pic.twitter.com/oSUMFi653B

— Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@RepMaxwellFrost) December 19, 2024

Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern said Musk is becoming POTUS and “Trump is now vice president,” while Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin described the billionaire as “basically the fourth branch of the government.”

During an appearance on Chris Hayes’s show Thursday night, Democratic New York Rep. Dan Goldman regurgitated the “President Musk” line and said he has Trump “in a vise.”

“Elon Musk has Donald Trump in a vise,” Goldman said. “And it is very clear that Elon Musk is now calling the shots.”

“Elon Musk has Donald Trump in a vise.” Rep. Dan Goldman says “we need to face the reality: right now we have President Elon Musk”. (Video: MSNBC) pic.twitter.com/32b1is1A0n

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 20, 2024

“We need to face the reality: right now, we have President Elon Musk. And Donald Trump? Maybe he’s vice president, I guess,” the congressman argued. “Vice presidents don’t do much, so that makes sense. He might be the chief of staff. I don’t know what you call him, but he is not calling the shots.”

Meanwhile, Democratic Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan flexed his creative muscles and, using AI, generated fake images of Trump swearing in Musk as president, Musk as a king and Trump as his jester and Musk taking Trump for walk as if he were a dog.

We just returned from the future and got this photo from the inauguration. pic.twitter.com/f7aSHzfnFp

— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) December 18, 2024

Yes, Mr. Musk. Should I say more stupid things about privatizing the post office? You love when I say things to piss off that Amazon guy. Maybe I should propose another one of your cabinet appointments? They’re so ridiculously funny! Here for you. Can I sit in your chair again? pic.twitter.com/epQLdYCJC9

— Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) December 19, 2024

“Who’s a good boy? You’re a good boy. Go grab the deal to keep the government open. Fetch. Bring it to me. Good boy.” pic.twitter.com/hGwCohJKMZ

— Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) December 19, 2024

Yes, yes, it’s all fun and games until Democrats figure out the obvious: that Musk is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, billionaires in the country. Americans love Musk. They love his businesses, of course, but they love his eccentric personality even more. Unlike billionaires Mark Cuban, George Soros or Reid Hoffman, Musk has a populist, “We the People” appeal that cannot be rivaled, and many Americans likely voted for Trump solely because he had Musk’s support.

The average Joe and Jane who wants to bring the swamp to heel and carve away its toxic inefficiency will see these digs on Trump and think, “Oh, so Musk is helping make his agenda possible? Fantastic news!” Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers and their media toadies will fail to grasp this dynamic, and continue to attack Musk as the president’s puppet master, much to their eventual chagrin. It is yet more evidence that their party is woefully disconnected from the hearts and minds of ordinary Americans.