Elon Musk is turning up the heat on Washington’s political class, announcing that his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will now begin probing how members of Congress managed to become “strangely wealthy” on modest federal salaries.
While speaking in Wisconsin at a town hall, Musk suggested that taxpayer money flowing through international aid programs could be quietly enriching lawmakers through a web of nonprofit intermediaries. He raised red flags about aid distributed by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Elon Musk announced on Sunday that DOGE will be investigating how lawmakers got rich by serving in Congress:
“How’d they get $20 million if they’re earning $200,000 a year?”
Nancy Pelosi, Elizabeth Warren, and others, have a lot of explaining going to do.pic.twitter.com/KK1TVVxFWw
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) March 31, 2025
Musk named Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as examples of politicians who may need closer scrutiny. Though he acknowledged the route is indirect, he expressed strong confidence that the money is being funneled back in ways that benefit certain officials.
DOGE Congressional audit shows three Democrats Senators have gained more than $20 million in net worst each with "no plausible explanation." 😡
"Their wealth just… appeared."😂
Their files have been turned over to Pam Bondi at justice. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dOlZSH0foq
— Sam G. (@Sam230560) February 16, 2025
Musk’s watchdog effort comes amid long-standing concerns over lawmakers’ financial gains while in office. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has drawn repeated criticism for timely stock market decisions and for her household’s lucrative tech investments.
These are the Democrats screaming the loudest about Musk and DOGE.
• Ilhan Omar: $83M
• Chuck Schumer: $75M
• Elizabeth Warren: $73M
• Adam Schiff: $60M
• Jamie Raskin: $20M
• Hakeem Jeffries: $17M
• Cory Booker: $14M
• Jasmine Crockett: $10MThese people who’ve been… pic.twitter.com/WhHzLOrDtp
— A Man Of Memes (@RickyDoggin) February 19, 2025
Rank-and-file members of Congress receive annual salaries of $174,000, a figure Musk says doesn’t explain how some lawmakers are sitting on fortunes worth tens or even hundreds of millions. “How do they get $20 million if they’re earning $200,000 a year?” Musk asked the crowd.
Keep an eye on them. 👇
These are the Democrats screaming the loudest about Musk and DOGE. I don’t want to hear another peep from these career politicians throwing tantrums over accountability.
These are the same people who’ve been living large off taxpayer dollars while… pic.twitter.com/mAU8w2ZNFN
— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) February 7, 2025
According to Musk, DOGE is looking beyond salary disclosures and into foreign aid pathways and possible laundering mechanisms. His focus is now on unraveling how influence and insider access might be quietly transformed into wealth.
Musk also distributed $1 million checks to two attendees during his Wisconsin visit. The move was intended to draw attention to judicial activism and energize conservative turnout in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
The DOGE team has already exposed misuse of taxpayer money at other agencies. Now, their focus on congressional enrichment promises to widen the scope of accountability.
