The row took a sharper turn after the Tesla and SpaceX CEO called Californian representative “Ro the Robber” on social media while responding to criticism directed at him.
How did the row begin?
The dispute stems from comments made by Khanna about Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the body tasked with decreasing US government spending and job cuts.
Speaking on a podcast on Saturday, Khanna argued that Musk ‘needs to answer’ for the impact of the cuts and questioned the consequences of dismantling parts of USAID.
During the ‘I’ve Had it’ podcast, he also said Musk should face scrutiny over decisions made during his time associated with DOGE and called for further examination of the spending cuts.
“I do believe once we take power, there needs to be accountability. There needs to be accountability for Elon Musk. You know, they’re celebrating that he created 4,400 millionaires, but they don’t talk about the 4.5 million children around the world who he possibly sentenced to death by dismantling USAID,” Khanna said, according to the New York Post.
“He needs to answer for that. He needs to be subpoenaed. He needs to face an investigation. He needs to answer for what he did with DOGE.”
Why did Musk call him ‘Ro the Robber’?
Musk responded to a post on X that mentioned Khanna’s financial disclosures and stock trading activity. Replying to the post, Musk referred to the congressman as ‘Ro the Robber.’
Ro the Robber https://t.co/uUZlUjpEj9
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2026
Musk also fuelled the controversy by agreeing with a post on X that claimed he was calling for the arrest of Khanna, who was referred to as ‘Ro the Robber.’
Yes https://t.co/IfpZy0PJgH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2026
Musk’s defence of DOGE
Responding to criticism, Musk rejected allegations linked to USAID cuts and described Khanna’s claims as false. Shortly after Khanna’s call for an investigation, Musk, in a post, called the allegations “a total lie”.
“Absolutely. This is a total lie. All DOGE did was require contact with the aid recipients to confirm that funds were being used legitimately. Anything less than this is insane! Multiple people from USAID have been charged by the Justice Department with stealing money. Moreover, they plead GUILTY!!,” Musk said in response to a post.
Debate challenge
The disagreement has since moved beyond social media. Khanna has publicly challenged Musk to a televised debate, saying the two should discuss DOGE and wealth taxes.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Monday, Khanna said, “I challenge him to a debate … do it on CNN, do it on CNBC, do it at a university, he can pick the setting and let’s debate what happened at DOGE, let’s debate why I’m for a wealth tax.”
“We can have a conversation of ideas if he believes in free speech and free expression about these issues,” he added. If it goes ahead, the debate would pit the world’s richest man against a potential 2028 presidential hopeful.
