Senator Rand Paul proposed an unconventional choice for the next Speaker of the House, suggesting tech mogul Elon Musk for the position in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday morning.
“The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress . . .” Paul wrote, referencing the constitutional rule that allows the House to elect a Speaker from outside its ranks.
He added, “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).”
The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress . . .
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 19, 2024
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’…
Paul’s suggestion comes as Elon Musk has been vocal in criticizing wasteful government spending, a stance shared by many conservatives.
The call for Musk to replace current Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson aligns with frustrations over a contentious spending bill introduced earlier this week.
Johnson has faced backlash from both sides of the aisle, including from influential figures like Musk, for what critics see as a bloated and inefficient approach to fiscal governance.
Musk has long been outspoken about government inefficiencies, regularly using his platform to advocate for innovation and streamlined operations in both public and private sectors.
Paul’s proposal is the latest in a series of unconventional ideas floated by lawmakers aiming to shake up the political establishment.
Musk’s entrepreneurial background, leadership at companies like Tesla and SpaceX, and focus on disruptive innovation make him a unique, if unprecedented, choice for Speaker.
The role of Speaker traditionally requires extensive knowledge of congressional rules and procedures, as well as the ability to navigate complex political dynamics.
However, Paul and other proponents of an outsider candidate see Musk’s unconventional approach as an advantage in a political climate yearning for reform.
Adding to Musk’s prominence in political discourse, President-elect Donald Trump recently announced that Musk will co-lead the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The department aims to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies and modernize government operations.
Trump’s appointment of Musk to this role underscores the growing influence of nontraditional figures in shaping the future of U.S. governance.
As of Thursday morning, Musk had not publicly responded to Senator Paul’s suggestion. Known for his active presence on social media, Musk’s silence on the matter has left many wondering whether he would entertain such a proposal or dismiss it as impractical.