WASHINGTON (TNND) — Natasha Cloud, a guard for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, raised a provocative question on Sunday, asking, “When y’all gone tell Elon to go back to Africa?” after a government funding bill supported by the businessman—who is originally from South Africa—failed to pass in the House of Representatives.
Cloud shared her frustrations on the social media platform X, writing, “I’m so glad ALL these billionaires have no idea how the 3 branches of government work, or how a bill gets passed into law.”
Her comments came after Elon Musk praised a temporary funding bill he attributed to President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Musk described the proposal as superior to previous measures, stating, “This is a MUCH better bill that is closer to being a real continuing resolution (not an omnibus masquerading as a CR), but with support for hurricane victims & farmers, as well as a reasonable extension to the debt ceiling. Clean & simple.”
The bill failed to garner unanimous support, with 38 Republicans voting against it on Thursday. Cloud expressed approval of their actions, writing, “Shoutout to the 38 Republicans who shot the bill down in the House while being threatened & blackmailed.”
On the same day, Trump posted on Truth Social, urging bipartisan support for the bill. “All Republicans, and even the Democrats, should do what is best for our Country, and vote ‘YES’ for this Bill, TONIGHT!” the president-elect wrote.
Trump emphasized the importance of the proposed American Relief Act of 2024, which he said would prevent a government shutdown, provide aid for hurricane victims, support farmers, and extend the debt ceiling deadline. “The newly agreed to American Relief Act of 2024 will keep the Government open, fund our Great Farmers and others, and provide relief for those severely impacted by the devastating hurricanes,” he noted.
He highlighted the bill’s two-year extension of the debt ceiling deadline to January 30, 2027, calling it “VITAL.” “Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump added.
Congress ultimately reached a deal on Saturday, approving a temporary funding measure that avoided a government shutdown.
