Elon Musk claims some members of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are getting death threats on a daily basis.
The Tesla CEO and owner of X, who was speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, has drawn criticism over his efforts to downsize the US federal government.
In just nine weeks, entire agencies have been dismantled and tens of thousands of workers from the 2.3 million federal workforce have been fired or agreed to leave their jobs.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump gathered his cabinet secretaries, praising his department leaders for their cost-cutting measures even as he acknowledged these may not be “popular”.
Mr Trump said the cuts had to happen regardless of the political ramifications. “I have no idea how it plays out in the public… but it’s something that has to be done.”
The death threats, which Mr Musk claimed had been targeted at his staff at DOGE, follow recent attacks on Tesla showrooms, charging stations and privately owned cars.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau was investigating what he called “the increase in violent activity toward Tesla”.
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In a post on X on Monday, he added: “We have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response. This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice”.
On Monday, police in Austin, Texas said they were investigating several incendiary devices found at a dealership.
Over the weekend, there were demonstrations at Tesla dealerships across North America, and some clashes between pro and anti-Tesla protestors. A man drove his car into campaigners outside a showroom in Florida. No one was injured.
And in California, police said a counter-demonstrator was arrested after activating a stun gun during an anti-Musk protest.
During the White House meeting on Monday, some cabinet members heaped support on Musk and DOGE, with Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin touting the “incredible” partnership with his department and Attorney General Pam Bondi offering praise for “Elon’s incredible team”.
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‘Many fraudulent contracts’
There were also claims that “many fraudulent contracts” had been brought to light by Mr Musk, who sat at the end of the table wearing a red “Trump Was Right About Everything” hat.
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At one point, he spoke to claim that the Small Business Association had discovered a loan awarded to a “very precocious” baby.
But there have been reports of tensions over workforce reductions, with the president saying that future cutbacks would be at the discretion of department leaders. But then later, he insisted Mr Musk would intervene if departments don’t make sufficient reductions.
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White genocide is a ‘false narrative’
Separately on Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hit back at claims from Mr Musk that white people are being persecuted in his country, describing the accusations as a “completely false narrative”.
It was his latest attempt to dismiss claims from the Tesla CEO – who was born in South Africa – as well as Mr Trump.
Mr Musk has regularly accused South Africa’s government of being anti-white, and said on social media that some of the country’s political figures are “actively promoting white genocide”.
