Rand Paul suggests replacing Mike Johnson with Elon Musk as Speaker of the House

The chaos surrounding the collapse of the continuing resolution spending bill has put House Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership under intense scrutiny. Senator Rand Paul has even suggested replacing him with tech billionaire Elon Musk, who is President-elect Trump’s pick to co-chair the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Paul took to Musk’s X platform to propose the idea, highlighting that the Speaker does not necessarily have to be a member of Congress. He believes that electing Musk as Speaker would shake up the political establishment and bring much-needed efficiency to government operations. Musk, known for his criticism of government waste, has also condemned the spending bill and called for lawmakers who support it to be voted out.

The spending bill has sparked outrage among conservatives, including President-elect Trump, who have called for its rejection. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has confirmed that the deal is dead, following criticism of Johnson’s handling of the situation. It remains unclear whether Paul’s suggestion of Musk as Speaker was serious or made in jest.

While some, like Democratic strategist Jimmy Williams, dismiss the idea, others like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene support it. Greene believes that Musk could bring real government efficiency and shake up the establishment. Johnson, who took over as Speaker after Kevin McCarthy was ousted, is facing growing opposition within his own party.

With the bill set for a vote on January 3, Johnson’s future as Speaker is uncertain. Rep. Thomas Massie has already indicated he will not support him, and with other Republicans wavering in their support, Johnson’s position is precarious. Senators like Josh Hawley have also criticized Johnson’s leadership, calling for change in the wake of the spending bill debacle.

The suggestion of Musk as Speaker adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing drama in Congress. Whether this proposal gains traction or not, it reflects the growing dissatisfaction with the current leadership and the desire for a more efficient and effective government. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Capitol Hill to see what the future holds for Speaker Johnson and the fate of the spending bill.