Ro Khanna

The public feud between Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna and trillionaire Elon Musk has escalated, with Khanna challenging Musk to a prime-time televised debate over the impact and constitutional authority of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The California lawmaker, who represents Silicon Valley, issued the challenge after months of disagreements over federal spending cuts, government restructuring and Musk’s role in DOGE.

“Let’s have a real, substantive debate on prime-time television about what is actually happening to the federal government,” Khanna said.

The dispute intensified after Musk led DOGE’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government, including cancelling contracts, cutting agencies and reducing the federal workforce. Khanna has criticised these moves, calling Musk’s actions by an unelected billionaire “unconstitutional, wrong, and immoral”.

The two clashed publicly after Khanna argued that Musk should answer for the impact of DOGE’s decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Musk responded by accusing Khanna of spreading false claims and suggested legal action.

“It’s not pleasant to have the world’s richest person with the biggest platform on X go say you should be in prison and that he’s going to sue you, and then I’m a liar,” Khanna said.

“I’m taking on the richest person in the world, but I mean, I would hope that he would have an actual debate about it.”

Battle over DOGE and government spending

Khanna argues that DOGE’s cost-cutting approach has weakened public institutions and bypassed Congress’ constitutional authority over government spending. He said reforms should focus on reducing waste among defence contractors and major federal beneficiaries instead of cutting public services.

Musk has defended DOGE, saying it is necessary to eliminate government waste, reduce bureaucracy and address the national deficit.

“The standard applied by DOGE was very simple and easy: Provide contact information for the recipients of aid, so that we can confirm it is not fraudulent,” Musk said.

The debate challenge comes as Khanna gains attention as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race, placing him in direct confrontation with one of the world’s most influential tech figures. Musk has not immediately responded to Khanna’s invitation for a televised debate.