Transphobic billionaire Elon Musk has helped end a congressional continuing resolution (CR) that would continue funding the federal government through mid-March. The incident has compelled at least one Republican lawmaker to call for ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and replacing him with Musk.The battle demonstrates Musks growing influence over the Republican Party after he donated millions and used the X social media platform to help reelect President-elect Donald Trump. In fact, social media commenters have now started saying that Musk, the richest man in the world, is the real president and that Trump merely serves him. Related Elon Musks trans daughter might leave the country because of Trumps victory Even if Trump doesnt implement his anti-trans agenda, Vivian Jenna Wilson cited one reason shes still leaving Musk and failed Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy both of whom have been appointed to Trump to the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) both posted messages on X urging congressional Republicans not to support the measure. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today This bill should not pass https://t.co/eccQ6COZJ4 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years! Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024 The measure continues current government funding levels and adds-on $100 billion in hurricane disaster relief funds, $10 billion in aid to farmers, reforms to the pharmacy pricing industry; an extension to the farm bill, and the first pay raise for members of Congress since 2009.Musk called the CR full of pork (a term for politicians large spending meant to benefit politicians local voting districts), and Ramaswamy compared the bills feel good spending to showering cocaine on an addict. Johnson told Fox News on Tuesday night that he recently spoke with Musk and Ramaswamy, who told him that they know hes in an impossible position of having to either fund the government with Democratic help or cause a government shutdown while reducing spending to appease Musk, Ramaswamy, and other far-right Republicans.We got to get this thing done so we dont have the shutdown. So, we get the short-term funding measure, and we get to March where we can put our fingerprints on the spending, Johnson said. Thats when the big changes start.Speaking to reporters, Johnson added, This is not an omnibus [bill], OK? This is a small CR that we had to add things to that were out of our control. These are not man-made disasters. These are things that are the federal government has an appropriate role to do We have to be able to help those who are in these dire straits. However, numerous House Republicans are already saying they wont support the CR. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) have all said that they wont vote for it, according to The Hill.The House GOP unrest over the CR also puts Johnson in possible danger of losing his House speakership when the House votes for Speaker on January 3. Johnson will need Democratic votes to pass the CR, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted by far-right Republicans last year for essentially doing the same thing.In fact, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-WV) said he wouldnt support Johnson to stay as speaker, and Rep. Greene and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) have both already called for Johnson to be replaced by Musk for House Speaker.Greene wrote, Id be open to supporting @elonmusk for Speaker of the House. DOGE can only truly be accomplished by reigning in Congress to enact real government efficiency. The establishment needs to be shattered just like it was yesterday. This could be the way. Id be open to supporting @elonmusk for Speaker of the House. DOGE can only truly be accomplished by reigning in Congress to enact real government efficiency. The establishment needs to be shattered just like it was yesterday.This could be the way. https://t.co/8YuL56e443 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) December 19, 2024The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress, Johnson wrote in a December 19 post. Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk think about it nothings impossible. (not to mention the joy at seeing the collective establishment, aka uniparty, lose their ever-lovin minds).The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress . . . Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk . . . think about it . . . nothings impossible. (not to mention the joy at seeing the collective establishment, aka uniparty, lose their ever-lovin Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 19, 2024 Republicans will have a slim House majority in 2025 with a 217-215 split between them and Democrats. Johnson will likely struggle to keep the slim GOP majority together, especially if Musk continues criticizing his legislative efforts.The display of power has compelled numerous social media commenters to say that Musk is really in control of the Republican-lead Congress and presidency, and Trump is just a servile figurehead. Many of these images were generated by artificial intelligence.Grok even knows that he's President-elect Musk. pic.twitter.com/LjJwtRVqxp Devin Duke (@sirDukeDevin) December 19, 2024President Musk pic.twitter.com/n9eREp3pHS Kyle Sweetser (@sweetser_kyle) December 19, 2024 President Musk and Vice President Trump. This isnt going to end well. pic.twitter.com/hVuurMoRba Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 19, 2024Ponder thisElon Musk spent $44 billion to buy Twitter, but only $277 million to buy the United States of America. pic.twitter.com/TwFZ2WCCtm Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) December 19, 2024Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.