In a surprising move, U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has endorsed entrepreneur Elon Musk as the next Speaker of the House.
Paul made his endorsement public on Thursday, December 19, through a post on his official X account, suggesting that Musk’s outsider status would shake up the current political system.
“The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress,” Paul wrote. “Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk… Think about it… nothing’s impossible.
(Not to mention the joy at seeing the collective establishment, aka ‘uniparty,’ lose their ever-lovin’ minds).”
Paul’s comments come amidst growing frustration with current House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is facing criticism from within his own Republican party for his handling of an end-of-year spending deal.
Johnson had backed a measure that would fund the government through March 14, but the proposal, which included over $100 billion in disaster relief and economic assistance, was met with backlash from conservative figures like President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Elon Musk, who will also co-lead the incoming Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been vocal in his opposition to the bill.
On Wednesday, Musk slammed the proposed spending deal, calling it “outrageous” and urging lawmakers who supported it to be voted out in two years.
His comments have added fuel to the fire within the Republican party, with Johnson’s team now working on a backup spending plan that would align more closely with the MAGA movement’s priorities.
Paul’s endorsement of Musk for Speaker reflects the growing discontent within certain factions of the Republican Party with the current leadership, as they seek to challenge the establishment and push for more radical change in Washington.