Ocasio-Cortez: Musk ‘one of the most unintelligent billionaires I have ever met’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has strongly 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 discussed Musk’s influence over federal operations as DOGE continues to scrutinize and integrate itself into multiple 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 stated.

She also criticized DOGE for failing to adequately assess candidates before appointing 19-year-olds to significant positions within the Treasury Department.

“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.

Ocasio-Cortez warned that a critical moment could arise where a misstep or decision could lead to severe consequences.

Concerns have grown in recent days as Musk and DOGE have gained access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system. Despite internal resistance from some employees, the agency was granted entry into a system responsible for overseeing $6 trillion annually in federal expenditures.

This system manages essential funding, including Social Security and Medicare payments, salaries for federal employees, disbursements to government contractors and grant recipients, and tax refunds.

DOGE representatives have justified their involvement by asserting their goal is to ensure government expenditures align with the Trump administration’s priorities. However, Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez, have expressed alarm over the potential exposure of confidential and sensitive data.

Additionally, DOGE officials have effectively suspended USAID operations and attempted to integrate the agency under the oversight of the State Department.

The Hill has contacted DOGE for comment on these developments.

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