Ocasio-Cortez Slams Musk as Public Leech Amid Ongoing Feud

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized tech billionaire Elon Musk, calling him a “leech on the public” during a recent exchange on social media, further escalating their ongoing feud.

The comment stemmed from Musk’s recent appearance on Joe Rogan‘s podcast where he referred to Social Security as the “biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” Ocasio-Cortez took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday to voice her disapproval of Musk’s remarks regarding the federal program which provides benefits to retired workers and individuals with disabilities.

“This guy is a leech on the public. No matter how many billions he gets in tax cuts and government contracts, it will never be enough for him,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote. She also accused Musk of targeting vulnerable groups in pursuit of tax benefits, stating, “Now he’s going after the elderly, the disabled, and orphaned children so he can pocket it in tax cuts for himself. It’s disgusting.”

Musk’s comments about Social Security included a claim that “millions and millions of people over 100 years old” receive benefits from the program, a statement that has been widely challenged. A study released in the past few years indicated that only 1 percent of the Social Security Administration’s payments between 2015 and 2022 were improper, with most of those payments made to living individuals.

The feud between Ocasio-Cortez and Musk is not a new occurrence. Earlier this month, the congresswoman branded Musk a “billionaire conman” following decisions Musk supported that led to layoffs within the Food and Drug Administration’s medical devices division. She expressed concerns about his qualifications, stating, “Elon Musk is not a scientist. He is not an engineer. He is a billionaire conman with a lot of money. I sincerely ask you all to examine what expertise he has in medical devices… These are people’s lives that are on the line.”

In response to Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism, Musk recently joked, “Do you actually write these or am I replying to your intern?” This exchange highlights the contentious relationship between the two, characterized by public accusations and witty retorts.

Ocasio-Cortez has previously highlighted Musk’s business dealings with the U.S. government, arguing for greater transparency regarding defense contracts awarded to his companies. “If you want to start with waste, start with Elon’s defense contracts at the Pentagon,” she said, pointing out the significant public funds directed toward such projects.

Ocasio-Cortez’s comments come at a time of heightened scrutiny over the concentration of wealth and power among America’s billionaires, bringing attention to their influence on policy making and public welfare.