Elon Musk has signaled that he may be preparing for a legal fight after Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna accused him of causing catastrophic humanitarian consequences through cuts implemented during his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
The dispute erupted after Khanna appeared on the podcast I’ve Had It, hosted by Jennifer Welch, where the California congressman criticized Musk’s role in dismantling large portions of the U.S. Agency for International Development in early 2025. During the discussion, Khanna argued that Musk should be held accountable for the impact of those cuts, claiming that millions of children around the world may have suffered as a result.
Musk responded bluntly on X.
“Time to sue this liar,” he wrote.
Time to sue this liar
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2026
The billionaire entrepreneur did not stop there. In a series of posts, Musk defended DOGE’s actions and argued that the agency’s reviews were focused on basic accountability measures.
“The standard applied by DOGE was very simple and easy: Provide contact information for the recipients of aid, so that we can confirm it is not fraudulent,” Musk wrote. “The reality is that money was being sent to corrupt politicians under the guise of aid! Liars and stock insider traders like Ro the Robber should be in prison!!”
The nickname “Ro the Robber” quickly became a recurring theme in Musk’s online criticism of the congressman.
The standard applied by DOGE was very simple and easy:
Provide contact information for the recipients of aid, so that we can confirm it is not fraudulent.
The reality is that money was being sent to corrupt politicians under the guise of aid! Liars and stock insider traders… https://t.co/AonwfFjxf2
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2026
The exchange revived a debate that dominated Washington during the first months of the Trump administration’s second term. DOGE’s aggressive efforts to reduce federal spending and investigate government programs sparked intense opposition from Democrats, particularly when the administration targeted USAID.
At the time, supporters of DOGE argued that the agency had uncovered significant waste, fraud, and mismanagement within federal programs. Critics countered that rapid cuts disrupted humanitarian efforts and threatened vulnerable populations that depended on American aid.
The controversy extended beyond Congress. Shortly after taking office as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sharply criticized USAID, describing it as an agency that had strayed far from its stated mission.
Ro the Robber https://t.co/uUZlUjpEj9
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2026
“It has been captured by the military-industrial complex,” Kennedy said during remarks that attracted widespread attention. “It has become a sinister propagator of totalitarianism across — and war — across the globe.”
Those comments intensified an already fierce argument over whether USAID primarily functioned as a humanitarian organization or had evolved into a vehicle for broader political and geopolitical objectives.
Absolutely. This is a total lie.
All DOGE did was require contact with the aid recipients to confirm that funds were being used legitimately. Anything less than this is insane!
Multiple people from USAID have been charged by the Justice Department with stealing money.… https://t.co/a6IyHi7mNI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2026
Musk’s relationship with President Donald Trump has also added another layer to the story. Although Musk eventually broke with the administration over disagreements concerning Trump’s legislative agenda, particularly the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” tensions between the two men later eased. Despite those policy disputes, Musk has continued defending DOGE’s work and rejecting claims that its reforms caused widespread harm.
