Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) criticized tech billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk, calling him “one of the most unintelligent billionaires” she has encountered.
During a live Instagram video, Ocasio-Cortez expressed concerns about Musk’s growing influence over the federal government, as DOGE conducts reviews and expands its reach into various agencies, including the Treasury Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
“This dude is probably one of the most unintelligent billionaires I have ever met or seen or witnessed,” she said.
“This dude is not smart, and the danger in the lack of intelligence and the lack of expertise that Elon has, I mean, this guy is one of the most morally vacant, but also just least knowledgeable about these systems that we know of,” she continued.
— AOC | Updates (@updatesaoc) February 4, 2025
: @AOC full Instagram live. pic.twitter.com/gUdsbbkQ91
The New York Democrat warned that a critical tipping point—or “a button” being pressed—could trigger serious consequences.
In recent days, concerns have escalated as Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system. Despite internal resistance, DOGE was granted entry into the system that manages $6 trillion annually in federal disbursements. This system oversees funding for Social Security and Medicare, federal employee salaries, payments to government contractors and grant recipients, and tax refunds.
DOGE officials have defended their actions, claiming they are ensuring government spending aligns with the Trump administration’s priorities. However, Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez, have raised alarms about the potential compromise of confidential and sensitive information.
Additionally, DOGE officials have effectively shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and attempted to transfer control of the international aid agency to the State Department.
According to an executive order published on the White House’s website, DOGE’s was created to modernize federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity,” and “shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.”
