Rep. Ro Khanna criticizes Elon Musk over foreign aid cuts and potential deaths

On June 22, 2026, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) criticized Elon Musk regarding his role in the Trump administration, specifically his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the associated federal spending cuts. Khanna stated that these cuts could lead to millions of preventable deaths. During an appearance on the podcast 'I’ve Had it,' Khanna suggested that a one-time 5% tax on Musk's wealth could fund universal child care in the U.S. Musk responded on social media, labeling Khanna as 'such an evil liar.' In response, Khanna referenced research indicating that the spending cuts under Musk's leadership at DOGE could result in 14 million preventable deaths by 2030. He cited a report from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, which claimed that recent U.S. foreign aid cuts could lead to the deaths of 4.5 million children under five. The report noted that USAID has historically contributed to saving 91 million lives over the past 20 years, with programs linked to significant reductions in mortality rates. Musk's tenure at DOGE included approximately $60 billion in cuts to U.S. foreign aid.