Statement from Executive Director Danielle Brian on Elon Musk Amplifying an Attack on Our Expert Witness

It is deeply troubling that Elon Musk amplified an attack on Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, one of the nation’s leading experts on government accountability and reform, simply for doing his job: holding power accountable.

Dylan has been recognized as one of Washington’s top lobbyists for three years in a row by The Hill for his work in pushing for stronger government transparency, oversight, and ethics reforms that serve the public, not the politically powerful.

His expertise is sought after by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle because he brings facts, solutions, and integrity to critical policy debates.

While Dylan continually informs Congress on issues of fraud and waste in government, he’s never before been personally attacked for his testimony.

Rather than engage with the substance of his testimony today — which detailed billions in government waste and the urgent need for reforms — Elon Musk and others have chosen to sink to the level of personal attacks, even mocking Dylan’s blindness.

This is not just an attack on one expert — it’s a symptom of the broken state of political discourse in this country. When those with influence and power resort to ableist mockery instead of debating real issues, they send a clear message: They have no real defense for the corruption and waste that Dylan continues to expose.

Elon Musk owes Dylan an apology. Mocking someone for their disability is a distraction from the real issue: the billions of tax dollars lost to waste, fraud, and conflicts of interest that Dylan exposed in his testimony (and will continue to expose in the years ahead) — exactly the sort of corruption Musk purports to be tackling through DOGE.

As Rep. Eric Burlison aptly said at today’s hearing, ad hominem attacks are a way to distract from misguided spending and waste. “Let’s talk on the policy,” Rep. Burlison implored those in the hearing room. Dylan did exactly that. The facts don’t change just because those in power don’t like hearing them.

Dylan and I are available to meet with Mr. Musk to discuss meaningful ways to combat waste, fraud, and conflicts of interest at any time. Mr. Musk might be surprised to find that POGO is one of the leading voices advocating for bipartisan reforms and government accountability efforts that Mr. Musk should find compelling.

Let us be absolutely clear: POGO stands resolutely behind Dylan and the critical work he does to make government work for the American people.