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A Washington Post analysis, as reported by Gizmodo in February 2025, estimated that Elon Musk’s companies had received at least $38 billion in federal support through subsidies, contracts, loans and tax credits. That estimate appeared alongside reporting about DOGE-linked actions at the Social Security Administration (SSA). It concerns Musk’s companies—not Musk personally—and is neither an audited accounting nor a complete tally.
What the $38 billion estimate counts—and what it does not
Gizmodo’s February 26, 2025, article relayed a Washington Post analysis that counted subsidies, contracts, loans and tax credits received by Musk’s companies, primarily Tesla and SpaceX. The Post analysis cautioned that the total could be higher: it excluded classified federal defense and intelligence work and several local grants, reimbursements and tax credits whose amounts were not publicly available. The quoted caveat said, “The total amount is probably larger: This analysis includes only publicly available contracts, omitting classified defense and intelligence work for the federal government.” (Gizmodo’s report)
“At least $38 billion” is therefore best understood as the analysis’s estimate based on support it could count, not as a final government-wide total. The figure does not establish how much money Musk personally received, nor does it show that every form of support was a direct payment or grant.
What Gizmodo reported about DOGE and Social Security
The same February 2025 article described DOGE-linked efforts to terminate leases for SSA offices, reported office closures in several states, the abolition of two SSA components, and a reduction-in-force process. It also recounted a dispute over DOGE access to recipient information and Musk’s claims about fraud. These are descriptions and claims reported at that time; they should not be read as proof that every proposed action was implemented or as a description of SSA today.
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Gizmodo reproduced an SSA statement: “SSA has publicly released announcements this week regarding the abolishment of two components within the agency. We have not set any reduction targets, however we will continue to pursue efficiencies within the agency and align like missions. We have no further information at this time.” The statement confirms the agency’s announcement about abolishing two components, while saying it had not set reduction targets. It does not, by itself, establish the eventual scale or outcome of workforce changes. (Gizmodo’s report)
What later reporting adds—and what it cannot establish
A May 2025 Truthout article described reported SSA service disruptions and staffing changes and cited a 2024 SSA Office of the Inspector General report on improper payments. That is later context, not a direct verification of every February report or evidence of current SSA operations. (Truthout’s May 2025 coverage)
How to interpret the potential-conflict findings
In a May 8, 2025, report, Public Citizen defined an agency as DOGE-targeted when public reporting described DOGE seeking access or control, placing staff inside, seeking data access, or forcing reductions in staffing, spending or office space. Using those criteria, it identified 32 cabinet-level and large independent agencies meeting its involvement standard and reported potential conflicts involving Musk’s businesses at 23. Those are Public Citizen’s classifications and findings—not a court determination or proof of misconduct. (Public Citizen’s report)
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The juxtaposition raises a question about public accountability: Musk’s companies had substantial reported federal support while DOGE-linked activity at SSA was receiving scrutiny. The cited material does not, on its own, establish that Musk’s businesses received preferential treatment, that DOGE’s SSA actions were directed to benefit them, or that the reported actions caused a specific change in Social Security benefits.
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- Support counted: The Post analysis relayed by Gizmodo included publicly available subsidies, contracts, loans and tax credits.
- Support omitted: Classified work and some local benefits with undisclosed amounts were excluded, so the estimate was incomplete.
- Agency actions: February 2025 reporting described efforts and changes, but a report of an effort is not proof of full implementation.
- Present conditions: These sources do not establish SSA’s current staffing, office operations or DOGE involvement.
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