House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stirred interest on Friday when he shared a humorous conversation with billionaire Elon Musk about taking on the role of speaker of the House.

The lighthearted comment emerged amid a tense week in Washington, where lawmakers scrambled to prevent a government shutdown with a stopgap spending bill, as Newsmax reports.

Johnson revealed the exchange shortly after the House approved the temporary spending measure, which the Senate later passed. The bill aims to extend government funding negotiations until March. This development came during a contentious period marked by challenges to Johnson’s leadership and widespread criticism of his approach to the spending debate.

Elon Musk’s Commentary on Spending Bill

Earlier in the week, Johnson had proposed a bipartisan spending plan intended to navigate through the funding impasse. However, the proposal quickly drew criticism from lawmakers across party lines and from Musk himself.

In a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk denounced the spending plan, describing it as "criminal" and accusing it of containing excessive and unnecessary provisions. The backlash prompted Johnson to abandon the proposal by Tuesday.

This episode highlighted the challenges of governing in a deeply divided Congress, with members questioning the Speaker's ability to navigate complex negotiations effectively.

Support for Musk as Speaker Emerges

Despite the lighthearted nature of Johnson’s comments about Musk, the idea of the billionaire taking on a political role gained traction online. Both Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed their endorsement of Musk as a potential Speaker on X.

While Johnson did not seriously suggest Musk assume the position, the playful conversation underscored the difficulties of the job. Speaking about their exchange, Johnson said, "Elon Musk and I talked about an hour ago. We talked about the extraordinary challenges of this job."

Johnson added, "I said, 'Hey, you wanna be Speaker of the House? I don't know.' He said this may be the hardest job in the world. I think it is."

Bannon Questions Johnson’s Leadership

As the spending debate unfolded, critics, including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, questioned Johnson's capability to lead the House. Bannon accused Johnson of lacking the skills necessary to handle the pressure.

"Johnson doesn't have the right stuff," Bannon remarked, highlighting the difficulty of uniting a fractious Congress under the Speaker's guidance.

The criticism was echoed in the broader debate over Johnson’s approach, with both Republicans and Democrats scrutinizing his strategy in resolving the spending impasse.

1,500-Page Bill Spurs Debate

The stopgap measure passed this week contained over 1,500 pages, drawing criticism from lawmakers and commentators who argued it failed to address fundamental concerns. Johnson faced questions about whether the temporary resolution merely delayed rather than resolved looming fiscal challenges.

Despite the controversy, the bill’s passage was critical in averting a government shutdown. Its approval in both chambers provided a brief reprieve for lawmakers but left significant questions about the next steps in budget negotiations.

The debate over Johnson’s handling of the spending measure served as a focal point for examining his tenure as Speaker, which began only weeks prior.

Contentious Week Ends with Resolution

As tensions subsided following the Senate’s approval of the stopgap bill, Johnson’s lighthearted remark about Musk offered a moment of levity. However, the challenges of his position remain significant as he faces ongoing scrutiny.

For now, the extension provides breathing room for lawmakers to negotiate a more comprehensive funding plan. Whether Johnson can navigate these complexities successfully remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Musk's brief involvement in the conversation continues to spark public interest. Though unlikely to become Speaker, his critique of the legislative process has resonated with many observers.

With March’s funding deadline already looming, Johnson’s ability to lead a divided Congress will likely be tested again in the coming months.