A fiery online exchange erupted between a key member of President Donald Trump’s administration and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over Elon Musk’s efforts to identify wasteful spending linked to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Musk, who currently heads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been on a mission to slash government expenditures as part of Trump’s broader cost-cutting agenda.

The Exchange: Clinton’s Critique and Musk’s Retort

The clash began when Hillary Clinton took to her social media platform, criticizing Musk’s aggressive audits of USAID’s budget. She accused Musk of “undermining international aid efforts” and claimed that his approach was “reckless and short-sighted.” Clinton argued that USAID’s programs are essential for maintaining diplomatic relations and supporting humanitarian efforts worldwide, adding that Musk’s cuts could destabilize vulnerable regions.

“Slashing international aid is not just about saving money. It’s about abandoning our moral and strategic responsibilities,” Clinton wrote. “If Musk spent less time chasing conspiracies and more time understanding global dynamics, maybe he wouldn’t be so quick to gut vital programs.”

Musk, never one to back down from a public spat, responded on his own platform, X, with his trademark bluntness: “International aid or international slush fund? Funny how billions of dollars meant for ‘humanitarian aid’ end up in the pockets of corrupt officials. Sorry, Hillary, but the days of unchecked spending are over.”