After this year’s presidential election, billionaire Elon Musk warned on his social media platform that there would be “consequences” for those responsible for promoting “foreign interference hoaxes,” a statement that drew criticism on Saturday.
On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Musk, along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, would lead a new initiative called the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE).
This department would aim to reduce government bureaucracy, cut unnecessary regulations, eliminate wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies. However, no such department currently exists, and Trump did not provide specifics on its operations or staffing.
The statement described DOGE as a body offering external advice and working alongside the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.
Musk’s appointment has raised concerns due to his frequent political commentary on X (formerly Twitter), a platform he acquired in October 2022.
In a post on Saturday, Musk seemed to reference ongoing fears about foreign interference in the 2024 election, warning that those behind the “foreign interference hoaxes” would face “consequences” and that “the Hammer of Justice is coming.”
While Musk did not name individuals or groups, the FBI had issued a warning about foreign interference in U.S. elections just a day before Election Day, identifying Russia and Iran as major threats.
On November 4, the FBI, along with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), highlighted efforts by foreign adversaries—especially Russia and Iran—to erode public confidence in the electoral process and create divisions among Americans.
The statement noted that these operations were expected to increase leading up to Election Day and beyond, with a focus on swing states.
