Elon Musk faces liberal backlash over DOGE accessing 'sensitive' social security data—What has his team really obtained?

Democrats accuse Musk of trying to access private tax data, while he insists it’s about exposing government fraud.

Elon Musk and his team at DOGE are facing intense scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over their attempts to access IRS data, with concerns rising over the potential exposure of Americans’ personal financial records.

While Musk argues that his "nerd army" is working to uncover fraud and waste in government spending, critics accuse him of attempting to overreach into private taxpayer information.

Democrats have been vocal in their opposition, arguing that Musk—one of the world’s richest men—should not have the ability to review such data. Senator Adam Schiff took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his concerns, writing: “Elon Musk is trying to access your personal bank and tax data. The world’s richest man should not and cannot be able to snoop around your personal finances. Period. End of story.”

Elon Musk is trying to access your personal bank and tax data.

The world’s richest man should not and cannot be able to snoop around your personal finances.

Period. End of story.

— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) February 17, 2025

Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., voiced his disapproval, posting on X: "I want to save billions of your money and make our government more efficient. Rummaging through your personal s* is not that. A party of chaos loses—always."**

I want to save billions of your money and make our government more efficient.

Rummaging through your personal shit is *not* that.

A party of chaos loses—always. pic.twitter.com/vMvNtnHqrr

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 17, 2025

However, Musk fired back, claiming the IRS is riddled with fraud, stating, "Having tens of millions of people marked in Social Security as 'ALIVE' when they are definitely dead is a HUGE problem."

Bruh, if I wanted to rummage through random personal shit, I could have done that at PAYPAL. Hello???

Having tens of millions of people marked in Social Security as “ALIVE” when they are definitely dead is a HUGE problem.

Obviously.

Some of these people would have been alive… https://t.co/L17rSBR1Tb pic.twitter.com/6hBqAJ5TbF

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 17, 2025

Despite the heated exchange, there is currently no evidence that Musk’s team has gained access to sensitive IRS records. Reports indicate that their efforts are tied up in court, delaying any further action. However, CNN reported that DOGE worker Gavin Kliger may soon be granted access to the IRS Data Retrieval System, potentially allowing Musk’s team to begin reviewing government spending.

Representative Betty McCollum, D-Minn., slammed the move, stating: "This isn't complicated: An unelected billionaire should not be allowed to go through your IRS records – or those of his business competitors." Meanwhile, Musk remains defiant, insisting that his scrutiny is not about invading citizens' privacy but rather about exposing financial mismanagement.

Elon Musk and his interns are seeking financial information on every taxpayer, business, and nonprofit in the country.

This isn’t complicated: An unelected billionaire should not be allowed to go through your IRS records – or those of his business competitors.

— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) February 17, 2025

DOGE has already gained access to data from various government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Commerce Department, and USAID. The team's push for access to Treasury Department records, however, remains blocked by a federal judge's order. As the legal battle continues, Musk’s involvement in government oversight remains one of the most controversial issues in Washington.