Musk's maxed-out megaphone: Shutdown power play will be hard to repeat

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An extraordinary display of Elon Musk's social media power saw the world's richest man funnel the anger of his hundreds of millions of online followers against a bipartisan compromise funding bill. Musk's arresting demonstration of government-by-tweet left Washington reeling—but the magic trick will get harder to repeat. Shooting down a spending bill is a lot easier than passing one. Stopping government in its tracks is much easier than making it work. Beginning Jan. 20, Republicans will essentially control all three branches of government, and making it work will be their job. Musk's call to arms took place at his point of maximum power, but starting in January, Republicans' control of Congress will be precarious. If Musk can repeat the trick, he will have ushered us into a new era. Then we'll have to figure out whether what's happening is really direct democracy, or rule by unelected billionaire.


Musk's maxed-out megaphone: Shutdown power play will be hard to repeat