Elon Musk has warned Democratic lawmakers against using congressional oversight powers to investigate him and his businesses. On Wednesday, he said he would pursue those he believes are behind such efforts if Democrats gain control of either or both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.
“Live by the sword, die by the sword,” Musk wrote on X, the social media platform he owns, responding to a Politico report detailing Democrats’ plans to investigate him and his businesses, including Tesla and
SpaceX.
“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,” he added.
The remarks come as Democratic lawmakers reportedly prepare to scrutinise Musk’s government role, business dealings and decisions affecting national security, should they secure a congressional majority.
Musk worked with US president Donald Trump’s administration through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which sought to reduce government spending and streamline federal operations. He left his role in late May after his 130-day tenure as a special government employee expired, returning his focus to Tesla and SpaceX.
According to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal workforce contracted by about 250,000 employees during 2025.
DOGE has also faced calls for investigations over its access to sensitive government data, the withholding of funds and its role in dismantling the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Democrats have additionally raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Musk’s companies and their multibillion-dollar federal contracts and subsidies.
“The sheer number of conflicts of interest are astounding,” representative Zoe Lofgren, the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, said, according to Politico.
The proposed scrutiny also extends to reports that Musk ordered a slowdown of Starlink services used by Ukraine’s military. Senator Adam Schiff called for an investigation, in a social media post he wrote, “Either the President was lying or Musk was lying, but the decision to slow down satellite speed and access has life or death consequences for Ukraine.”
“This deserves a full investigation by the Senate. Elon Musk should be compelled to testify before Congress and under oath,” Schiff added.
Musk has maintained that decisions on Starlink’s use ultimately rest with the US president. Meanwhile, Trump has said he did not know who was responsible for the reported slowdown, while Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was told by secretary of state Marco Rubio that the restriction would be lifted.