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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) launched a scathing critique of billionaire Elon Musk, who currently leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), calling him "one of the most unintelligent billionaires" she has ever encountered.
Speaking in a live Instagram video, Ocasio-Cortez expressed alarm over Musk’s increasing influence within the federal government, particularly as DOGE infiltrates key 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,” Ocasio-Cortez stated, taking direct aim at Musk’s leadership and the operations of DOGE.
One of her chief criticisms focused on what she described as DOGE’s reckless placement of young, inexperienced individuals in key financial institutions. “They didn’t even do their homework. They are putting 19-year-olds in positions of power at the Treasury Department,” she said.
She warned that Musk’s lack of expertise and his moral indifference could create a serious crisis. “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 said.
Ocasio-Cortez suggested that the situation was spiraling toward an inevitable breaking point. “There will be a point—a button—that will be hit when things go sideways,” she cautioned.
Concerns over Musk’s control escalated in recent days as DOGE secured access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system, a system responsible for handling over $6 trillion annually.
This infrastructure controls critical government disbursements, including Social Security and Medicare payments, salaries for federal employees, contractor payments, grants, and tax refunds.
Despite pushback from career Treasury officials, DOGE obtained full access to the system, raising alarm among lawmakers and government watchdogs. Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats fear that confidential financial data and sensitive information could now be compromised.
Defending its actions, DOGE has claimed that it is simply working to align federal spending with the Trump administration’s policy priorities. However, opponents argue that the agency is dangerously overstepping its authority.
In addition to concerns about Treasury access, DOGE has also come under fire for its recent moves against USAID. The agency, which is responsible for directing billions in international aid, has been effectively shut down under DOGE’s leadership.
Reports indicate that DOGE attempted to move USAID’s functions under the State Department, a move widely seen as an effort to weaken the U.S. government’s international aid initiatives.
The developments have fueled a growing debate about Musk’s role in government and the unchecked power of DOGE. Critics like Ocasio-Cortez argue that the agency has gone far beyond its intended function and is instead being used as a vehicle for political manipulation.
Many lawmakers are now calling for immediate congressional oversight to rein in DOGE’s authority before further damage is done. Some are pushing for emergency hearings to investigate the extent of the agency’s reach into financial systems and other sensitive government operations.
Public reaction to the situation has been intense, with watchdog groups and advocacy organizations warning of the risks associated with Musk’s unprecedented influence. Calls for transparency and accountability have intensified, with many questioning why DOGE was granted such sweeping access in the first place.
Meanwhile, the White House has remained largely silent on the controversy. Attempts to obtain comment from administration officials have been met with vague assurances that the situation is “under review.”
As pressure mounts, Democrats are urging immediate action to block DOGE’s access to federal financial systems and prevent further overreach. Ocasio-Cortez, in particular, has vowed to continue pushing for greater accountability, warning that the consequences of inaction could be severe.
“We have a rogue billionaire with no expertise making critical financial decisions for the federal government,” she said. “This is dangerous, and we need to stop it before it’s too late.”
With DOGE’s power expanding and lawmakers scrambling to respond, the coming weeks could determine whether Musk’s control over federal agencies will be curtailed—or whether his influence will continue to grow unchecked.
