Quick summary:
• Elon Musk is being floated by Republicans as a potential replacement for House Speaker Mike Johnson after Johnson’s failed spending bill.
• The U.S. Constitution allows non-Congress members to become Speaker of the House, but this would be unprecedented.
• Musk opposed the spending bill on his platform X (formerly Twitter), rallying Republicans against it and contributing to its collapse.
• Supporters like Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene believe Musk would bring “real government efficiency” and disrupt traditional politics.
• Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has already drawn scrutiny for proposed cuts to Social Security and other programs.
• Concerns include Musk’s potential conflicts of interest due to his businesses and his promotion of controversial rhetoric on X.
• A Quinnipiac poll shows Musk’s unfavorable rating among voters at 44 percent, with 53 percent disapproving of him playing a major political role.
A growing number of Republican lawmakers are proposing billionaire Elon Musk as a potential replacement for House Speaker Mike Johnson. The suggestion comes as Johnson faces mounting criticism from within his party after his continuing resolution bill to fund the government failed, largely due to opposition from Musk and President-elect Donald Trump.
If Republicans move forward with this plan, Musk would become the first person outside of Congress to hold the role of Speaker of the House. Although unprecedented, such a move would be constitutionally permissible, as the U.S. Constitution does not require the Speaker to be an elected member of the House.
The idea of Musk as Speaker has gained traction following a week of infighting among Republicans over Johnson’s attempts to pass a funding bill to prevent a government shutdown. Johnson’s measure relied on Democratic support, as some Republicans refused to vote for any continuing resolution bill. Musk, a vocal critic of government spending, amplified opposition to the resolution on X (formerly Twitter), urging Republicans to vote it down. Trump later echoed Musk’s sentiments, leading to the bill’s collapse and intensifying calls for Johnson’s ouster.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) took to X to suggest Musk as Johnson’s replacement, stating, “Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) expressed similar support, saying she could “be open to supporting @elonmusk for Speaker of the House.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) offered an additional endorsement, suggesting that Musk or Vivek Ramaswamy, co-chairs of the soon-to-be-launched Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), would be strong candidates for Speaker. “I think we need to go outside the box. I think we need to look to a different place,” Lee said in an interview. “Choose one of them—I don’t care which one—to be our speaker.”
Musk has played an increasingly pivotal role in shaping Republican strategies since Trump’s election victory in 2024. Musk is not only one of Trump’s top donors, contributing $239 million to committees supporting Trump’s campaign, but also a close advisor, frequently referred to by critics as Trump’s “unofficial co-president.” Musk’s influence has extended to legislative debates, such as the failed funding resolution, where his social media platform became a battleground for rallying Republican opposition.
His official position as co-chair of DOGE has already drawn significant attention, as the commission plans to recommend sweeping cuts to federal programs, including Social Security. Greene will head a House subcommittee on the Musk-led initiative, underscoring his deepening role in GOP policymaking.
If Musk were to assume the role of Speaker, questions would arise over whether he would divest from his substantial business interests, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X. As Speaker, Musk would have significant power over legislation that could directly affect his companies, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. Critics fear that Musk’s dual roles as a businessman and political leader could blur ethical lines, further concentrating power in the hands of the ultra-wealthy.
Musk’s record of promoting conspiracy theories and controversial rhetoric also raises concerns about how he would lead Congress. He has amplified antisemitic and transphobic messages on X, sparking criticism from civil rights groups. Given that many Republicans campaigned in 2024 using anti-trans rhetoric, a Speaker Musk would likely prioritize anti-trans legislation, reflecting his alignment with GOP cultural priorities.
Musk’s popularity among voters is mixed. A Quinnipiac University poll conducted this week found that only 39% of voters view him favorably, compared to 44 percent who hold an unfavorable opinion. When asked specifically about Musk playing a significant role in Trump’s administration, 53 percent of respondents disapproved, while just 41 percent approved.
Some Democrats have mocked the idea of Musk as Speaker. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) told reporters, “If Elon Musk is kind of cosplaying co-president here, I don’t know why Trump doesn’t just hand him the Oval Office, or Speaker Johnson should maybe just hand Elon Musk the gavel if they just want that billionaire to run the country.”
The House Speaker has traditionally been an elected member of Congress, but the Constitution allows for outsiders to assume the role. Musk would not be the first non-member considered for the position; Trump himself received a vote for Speaker in 2023 after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy. However, past attempts to install outsiders have been dismissed as political stunts.
If elected, Musk’s tenure would mark a significant departure from historical norms, underscoring the Republican Party’s embrace of unconventional leadership and its reliance on high-profile figures to energize its base.
While Musk’s wealth and influence make him a formidable figure in Washington, his potential Speakership is fraught with challenges. His polarizing views, potential conflicts of interest, and lack of legislative experience could alienate voters and lawmakers alike. Whether his candidacy gains momentum or remains a symbolic gesture of GOP dissatisfaction with Johnson will depend on the party’s willingness to embrace such an unprecedented choice.
For now, Musk’s supporters continue to push for his Speakership, viewing his unconventional approach as a way to disrupt the political status quo. As Sen. Rand Paul put it, “The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress,” adding that Musk would be a good choice to “disrupt the swamp.”
To continue tracking Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees, click here.
COMMENTS