Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) criticized billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, calling him “one of the most unintelligent billionaires” she has ever encountered.

Her remarks came during a 90-minute Instagram discussion with her followers.

Ocasio-Cortez’s comments were sparked by Musk’s efforts to streamline government operations through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative.

Elon Musk Called This Financial News 'Terrifying'

The initiative reportedly involves a team of young tech workers tasked with identifying areas to reduce federal spending.

“This dude is probably one of the most unintelligent billionaires I have ever met, or seen, or witnessed,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

“Which, you know, you can probably even glean that from watching these people on TV.”

She continued, criticizing Musk’s hiring decisions: “Anyways, all of that is to say, is that they don’t do their homework. Clearly, like, they’re putting 19-year-olds in with the Treasury,” she added. “This dude is not smart.”

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Musk has reportedly brought in a group of young professionals, ranging from 19 to 25 years old, to help implement the DOGE team’s goals of cutting government inefficiencies.

Ocasio-Cortez took issue with this approach, despite advocating for policies that lower the voting age and expand opportunities for younger individuals in government decision-making.

The congresswoman continued her critique, warning of potential risks posed by Musk’s involvement in government efficiency efforts.

“Um, and uh, and the danger in not, in the lack of intelligence and the lack of expertise, um, that Elon has,” she stated. “I mean this guy is one of the most morally vacant, but also just least knowledgeable about these systems that we really know of.”

She further suggested that Musk’s leadership could lead to unintended consequences.

“Um, but the point is, is that, what that means is that they’re going to hit a button inevitably,” she said. “They are going to hit a button and things can go sideways.”

AOC: Elon Musk is one of the most unintelligent billionaires I’ve ever met or seen.

Who’s gonna tell her?pic.twitter.com/3CaghmNQpA

— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) February 4, 2025

Musk has yet to respond to Ocasio-Cortez’s latest remarks, but this is not the first time the two have clashed.

In 2022, they exchanged barbs on social media, with Musk responding to one of her posts by saying, “She’s just not that smart.”

She’s just not that smart

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 27, 2023

Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal critic of Musk, particularly after his acquisition of Twitter, now X, where he has promoted free speech policies that diverge from her party’s stance on content moderation.

As the DOGE initiative moves forward, it remains to be seen whether Musk will respond directly to Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism or continue with his government efficiency efforts without engaging in another public exchange.