After billionaire ally Elon Musk helped tank a bipartisan deal to fund the government, people have mocked President-elect Donald Trump by posting AI images portraying Musk as Trump's boss.
This week, Musk played a key role in leading a revolt against a bipartisan funding bill, directly challenging House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders who helped craft the legislation with Democrats. The revolt plunged budget negotiations into disarray, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown this weekend.
Throughout Wednesday, Musk posted about the funding bill on X more than 100 times. He repeatedly described the bill as “criminal” and urged his followers to contact their representatives.
Ultimately, Republicans scrapped Johnson's proposal for a three-month stopgap funding extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which included over $100 billion in natural disaster relief, bipartisan healthcare policy reforms, and various other provisions.
Then things got worse.
On Thursday evening, the House of Representatives rejected a second spending bill, which was endorsed by Trump, as it would suspend the debt limit for two years.
The bill failed in a 174-235 vote on Thursday evening, with nearly all Democrats and 38 hard-right Republicans opposing it. These Republicans broke ranks with the president-elect, citing concerns that the proposal would significantly add to the $36 trillion national debt.
Some observers have suggested the legislative gridlock is a sign that Musk is the one calling the shots—and "President Musk" is depicted as very much in charge in AI images designed to troll Trump and get under his narcissistic skin.
Political consultant Rick Wilson—one of Trump's most vocal conservative critics—posted an image of Musk sitting in the Oval Office with Trump waiting on him like a butler to his master.
@TheRickWilson/X
Another shows Musk with Trump on a leash and the post, shared by progressive Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan, includes the following caption:
“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.”
@MarkPocan/X
And yet another—also shared by Pocan—shows Musk on a throne flanked by Trump as his court jester and is captioned:
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?
@MarkPocan/X
And there were more where those came from.
People loved them and took the opportunity to mock Trump further.
Without a plan in place, the government is set to begin a partial shutdown at midnight on Friday when the current funding round expires.
A shutdown would leave more than 2 million federal workers without paychecks just before the holidays, triggering immediate budget cuts across government agencies, including immigration services and the National Park Service.
For the general public, the impact could be felt at airports, with longer lines expected during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers, would be required to work without pay, but the Federal Aviation Administration estimates it could furlough up to 17,000 employees. Similarly, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has warned of potential delays, as nearly all of its 62,000 employees are considered "essential" and would also work unpaid.
After the failed vote, Johnson said Republicans would reconvene and “come up with another solution."
