Elon Musk Considers Legal Action Against Rep. Ro Khanna Over USAID Allegations

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, recently expressed intentions to take legal action against Representative Ro Khanna, D-Calif., following remarks made by Khanna. These comments targeted Musk for his perceived role in reducing aid that could have impacted millions of children worldwide. During the I’ve Had It podcast, Khanna indicated that the Democratic Party should hold Musk accountable, particularly if they regain power in the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Khanna stated, “I do believe once we take power, there needs to be accountability.” He accused Musk of celebrating the creation of 4,400 millionaires, while allegedly neglecting the global impact of dismantling USAID.

Khanna argued that Musk’s department, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led to significant repercussions. He stated, “He needs to answer for that. He needs to be subpoenaed. He needs to face investigation.” Musk responded sharply in a post, asserting, “Time to sue this liar.” He denied the claim that DOGE’s actions led to children’s deaths.

In defense of DOGE, Musk detailed that the department demanded confirmation of fund usage from aid recipients, aiming to prevent fraud. He referenced a Justice Department press release on a USAID official’s guilty plea in 2025, emphasizing that several people had been charged with stealing aid funds.

Musk criticized Khanna’s premise, writing, “Provide contact information for the recipients of aid, so that we can confirm it is not fraudulent.” He accused Khanna of potentially fraudulent stock trading under the guise of benefiting corrupt politicians.

A Khanna spokesperson responded, highlighting Khanna’s resilience against threats. The representative stated, “Today, Elon Musk threatened to sue me.” Khanna defended his position by citing an academic study about DOGE. He reiterated his stance against wealth inequality, pointing out his history of challenging major figures and advocating for transparency.

Khanna’s remarks underscored his refusal to be intimidated by Musk. He called for open debates instead of legal threats, emphasizing his commitment to addressing critical issues without succumbing to external pressures.