Krugman says – Paul Krugman escalated his criticism of Elon Musk, saying the DOGE budget cuts Musk helped spearhead for President Donald Trump’s administration leave “the blood of millions of children” on his hands—despite admitting he lacks precise data. The remarks follow
Paul Krugman didn’t pause when he described what he believes the DOGE budget cuts will cost.
In a video posted to YouTube on Saturday, the former New York Times columnist accused Elon Musk of having “the blood of millions of children” on his hands. The charge was tied to the DOGE cuts Krugman says Musk helped spearhead for President Donald Trump’s administration.
Krugman’s language landed with force because he framed it as a verdict while also conceding he doesn’t have precise data to prove it. “Musk is a horrible. terrible person and has the blood of millions of children on his hands. let’s be clear. ” Krugman said. Then he added, “Yes, it’s not something that has been, you know, proven. But it’s close to, and it’s so overwhelmingly likely that it’s clearly, has to be true.”.
He did not spell out how, in his view, Musk’s DOGE cuts killed millions of children. Instead, he widened the attack into a different grievance: an “indictment” on all Americans that Musk, described as the world’s first trillionaire, is “still in business.”
The outburst came right on the heels of a similar line from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who has been pushing Democrats to investigate Musk’s role in the DOGE effort. Last week. Khanna said Musk “possibly sentenced to death” 4.5 million kids with his DOGE cuts. calling for Democrats to investigate Musk over DOGE as soon as they retake control of Congress.
Khanna linked the accusation to USAID. saying Democrats should probe Musk for “dismantling USAID. ” and arguing Democrats should focus on “the 4.5 million children around the world who he possibly sentenced to death” rather than celebrating SpaceX’s role in creating wealth. He also said the public talk about “4. 400 millionaires [with SpaceX going public]” should be paired with scrutiny of what he called the harm from DOGE.
Those remarks prompted Musk to respond. He said he was going to sue Khanna, and he called Khanna a “liar” who belonged in prison.
Krugman’s newest comments fit a pattern of escalating confrontation. Earlier this month, he argued that only a “rigged system” would allow Musk to become a trillionaire. This time. the economist’s critique moved from wealth to consequence—aimed at budget cuts and the human toll he believes they represent.
Where it lands now is less about what Musk has done or hasn’t done in Krugman’s telling. and more about what Democrats—or the American public—should demand next. Khanna has said that accountability must follow once Democrats take power again. Krugman. meanwhile. has gone further in moral terms. insisting it’s overwhelmingly likely that the cuts are lethal—even as he acknowledges the claim isn’t proven with precise data.
Paul Krugman Elon Musk DOGE budget cuts President Donald Trump Ro Khanna USAID Democrats Congress SpaceX trillionaire
Millions of children?? Sounds like another crazy Twitter take.
He literally admits he doesn’t have data and still says “blood of millions of children.” That’s wild. Like how is that not just rage talk.
So wait, Krugman is saying the DOGE cuts killed kids but he can’t prove it, and meanwhile Musk is “in business”?? I get the anger but this feels like blaming Elon for everything, like even my cousin’s car trouble was probably DOGE.
I’m not even sure what DOGE cuts are anymore, but I remember everyone freaking out about cuts and USAID stuff. If they’re saying “dismantling USAID” then yeah that’s a big deal… but the way it’s phrased like a verdict with no numbers makes it sound made up. Also Krugman calling him horrible is just gonna inflame people, not fix anything.