Musk’s Ultimatum to Primary Democrats Triggers Renewed Calls for Super PAC Prohibition
Elon Musk, known supporter of Trump and the wealthiest individual globally, played a controversial role in the near-shutdown of the government this week, prompting renewed demands for reform in campaign financing both within and outside of the Democratic Party.
Musk expressed opposition to a bipartisan continuing resolution (CR), intended to fund the government until March 14, by threatening that Republicans who supported the bill should not be re-elected in the 2026 midterm elections. He also announced his plan to financially support moderate primary challengers to Democrats in secure districts.
“The potential for unlimited super-PAC spending by the world’s richest man almost led to a federal government shutdown right before Christmas,” said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, in an interview with Common Dreams. “Now is the time to seriously address campaign finance reform. We are moving toward a new era of American oligarchy, and if we don’t act decisively, our democracy’s very integrity could be compromised.”
“Why doesn’t the House incorporate campaign finance reform into the CR? That way, both Republicans and Democrats might stop panicking over a billionaire’s tantrums before voting on anything.”
Prior to this fiscal standoff, Musk had already wielded significant political influence through substantial campaign contributions. In 2024, he donated no less than $277 million to the campaigns of President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates, including more than $19 million to House races alone. Additionally, Musk was a speaker at Trump campaign events and was selected by the President-elect to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency with fellow billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.
His efforts to undermine a spending bill unveiled by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday have raised fresh concerns about his sway over elected officials. His initial barrage of complaints against the CR, posted on his social media platform X on Wednesday, was followed by a statement from Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance opposing the bill. Consequently, Johnson did not bring the bill to a vote.
In his initial Wednesday flurry of tweets, Musk declared, “Any lawmaker who votes for this ludicrous spending bill should be ousted in two years!”
In response to Musk’s intimidation tactics, Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), the senior Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, delivered a passionate speech on the House floor on Thursday.
“Imagine the next two years—every time Congress acts, a tweet or a threat from someone with no official role scares members on the Republican side into submission?” Neal articulated.
Subsequently, Musk, reacting to a video of Neal’s speech, tweeted, “Oh… forgot to mention I’m also going to fund moderate candidates in heavily Democratic districts, so we can remove those who don’t truly represent their constituents, like this jerk.”
This comment incited fury and defiance among congressional Democrats.
“I’m always prepared,” Neal informed Business Insider, while his Democratic colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee responded with sarcastic memes on Twitter.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voiced her proposal on social media on Friday, suggesting, “How about the House include campaign finance reform in the CR so that neither Republicans nor Democrats have to worry about a billionaire’s opinion before casting their votes?”
Following the failure of another Republican-led spending bill to pass the House on Thursday, Johnson introduced a simplified CR including key Democratic-supported measures like disaster relief and agricultural aid. This bill passed the House on Friday and the Senate early Saturday, barely preventing a government shutdown that would have impacted hundreds of thousands of federal workers during the holiday season.
“Musk’s interference sets a dangerous precedent that should alarm every American dedicated to our democratic government,” stated Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
“Musk is overstepping, using his vast wealth and his control of X to push American politics toward authoritarianism,” wrote former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich in his Substack on Friday. “Wealth inequality is quickly eroding our democracy. Musk epitomizes the need for a wealth tax.”
Musk’s challenge in the primary against Neal has intensified demands for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to prohibit super-PAC spending in its primaries.
“Elon Musk, with a net worth of $455 billion, spent $277 million to control the Republican Party,” Warren Gunnels, Sanders’ staff director, posted on social media on Friday. “He also pledged to replace Democrats in primaries with candidates who support his special interests. If the DNC doesn’t outlaw super PACs in primaries, what will this scenario look like in two years?”
Reich has also argued that “the DNC must eliminate dark money and limit campaign contributions in all Democratic primary elections. The incoming DNC chair, to be chosen on February 1, should prioritize this in their strategy for the 2026 midterms and beyond.”
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