Rep.
Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) challenged Elon Musk to a televised debate Monday over cuts made during Musk’s time leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), escalating a bitter online clash between the Silicon Valley Democrat and the world’s first trillionaire.
Khanna Challenges Musk To Public DOGE Debate Khanna challenged Musk to a debate during a CNBC interview, saying, "I challenge him to a debate … do it on CNN, do it on CNBC, do it at a university, he can pick the setting and let’s debate what happened at DOGE, let’s debate why I’m for a wealth tax." He added, "We can have a conversation of ideas if he believes in free speech and free expression about these issues." .@elonmusk let's debate.
You game?I am for free speech, not lawfare. pic.twitter.com/gThLggxiOW— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) June 22, 2026 The challenge followed an intense exchange on X, the social media platform Musk owns, after Khanna said Musk should answer for potential deaths tied to DOGE’s dismantling of the U.S.
Agency for International Development.
