Musk warns Democrats he will fight back against congressional probes

Elon Musk has issued a stark warning to Democratic lawmakers who might try to use their oversight powers against him. He told Politico that if Democrats gain control of one or both chambers of Congress, they could launch probes into DOGE operations, federal contracts, and alleged conflicts of interest involving his companies like Tesla and SpaceX. But he is ready for it.

"Live by the sword, die by the sword," Musk wrote on X. He added that anyone picking a fight with him should know he will find out who is really pulling the strings and come for them, not just their puppets. That threat hangs heavy over a political landscape where Democrats have indeed weighed ways to investigate the billionaire's footprint in Washington.

Musk remains a major donor to Republican candidates and has worked closely with the Trump administration through the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. He helped launch that initiative at the start of President Donald Trump's second term to root out waste and push for transparency on federal spending. His business dealings with various government agencies make him an obvious target if a Democratic majority takes hold.

He stepped down from his role in the administration and left DOGE operations in late May after his 130-day status as a special government employee expired. He cited a need to refocus on Tesla and SpaceX, though he also disagreed with certain new policies. The fallout included deferred resignations and buyouts of federal employees, contributing to a workforce that shrank by about 250,000 jobs during 2025, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Critics have already raised alarms over DOGE's access to sensitive data like Social Security records and its handling of withheld funds. Democratic leaders point to potential conflicts of interest between Musk and the government given the contracts SpaceX and Tesla receive from a range of agencies. The tension is real, and the clock is ticking on how both sides will play out this showdown.