Elon Musk has signaled that he is preparing to fight potential congressional investigations if Democrats gain control of one or both chambers in the November midterm elections.
The Tesla and SpaceX chief responded sharply to reports of planned scrutiny, warning that he would seek to identify and confront those he believes are behind efforts to target him.
Musk has invested heavily in Republican political campaigns and groups ahead of the midterm elections. Reuters reported on October 12 that his spending during the 2026 election cycle had reached approximately $366 million, making him the cycle’s largest individual political donor.
In a post on X, he responded to a Politico report describing Democratic lawmakers’ interest in investigating him and his activities during the Trump administration:
“Live by the sword, die by the sword,” Musk wrote.
He added: “Those who pick fights with me should understand that I will find out who is really pulling the strings and come for them, not just their puppets.”
Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Those who pick fights with me should understand that I will find out who is really pulling the strings and come for them, not just their puppets …
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 21, 2026
Several Democratic lawmakers have expressed interest in using congressional oversight powers to examine Musk, his companies and the work of the U.S. DOGE Service, which he oversaw as part of the Trump administration’s drive to reduce government spending.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said in an interview Thursday, October 22, that he would pursue an investigation into Musk and DOGE if Democrats regain control of the Senate.
The lawmaker previously examined DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts but lacked subpoena power while in the minority. If Democrats take control, subpoenas could be used to compel witnesses to testify and require the production of documents and other records, subject to applicable legal procedures.
“The American people have a right to know the cost, the consequences and the chaos resulting from DOGE and … what he may be concealing,” Blumenthal said. “There is a web of potential corruption here that needs to be explored,” the senator claimed.
On the Bulwak podcast, Kara Swisher says Elon might already be in jail under Kamala Harris, and “he knows what’s coming for him.”
Another one to put in the “what Democrats plan to do if they take power” file:
“If Donald Trump loses the House and the Senate, I would worry. I’d be worried if I were him.”
“So they’re going to start investigating again. You think he’s not on the list? He’s at the top of that list.”
“He has a very big sense of fate. And I think it’s coming for him. And real hard.”
They’re all just saying this stuff out loud now. There are no secrets about what they want to do.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 21, 2026
In the House, Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Virginia), a member of the House Oversight Committee, challenged Musk on X to explain DOGE’s performance and its reported savings under oath.
“I’d just like you to explain to Congress and the American people why DOGE failed so miserably and why you then lied about the savings,” Walkinshaw wrote. “Will you commit to testifying under oath to explain?”
As an influential adviser to Trump in 2025, Musk became the public face of the administration’s efforts to reduce federal spending and reshape government operations. DOGE and associated agency teams pursued spending cuts, workforce reductions and changes to federal programs, while the initiative also played a role in the administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Musk set a goal of cutting $2 trillion in federal spending. DOGE subsequently reported approximately $215 billion in estimated savings across its initiatives.
However, the Government Accountability Office found that DOGE did not consistently follow its stated methodology for calculating savings associated with terminated contracts.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
