A viral X post featuring Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) shows the congressman alleging that Elon Musk was sidelined in Washington after getting “too close” to exposing how nonprofit organizations allegedly funnel taxpayer money back into political influence networks.
The clip posted by commentator Benny Johnson includes video of Burchett making the claims directly.
“Elon Musk had it right,” Burchett says in the interview. “That’s why I think both parties shunned themselves from him.”
Burchett argues that NGO-related federal grants create a financial loop that ultimately benefits politicians in both parties.
“That was NGOs, and money flows right back to Washington,” he continues.
“He told me… I think it flows in the pockets of politicians.”
“The NGOs… the money comes right back to Washington in the form of dark money, and in the pockets of politicians.”
Burchett also claimed some lawmakers avoid confronting the issue because they benefit from the system or “just go along to get along.”
Johnson then presses him directly:
“Do you think that’s what Elon found? And that’s why he was run out of the city?”
Burchett responds:
“That’s my theory.”
“I think he was getting too close… I don’t know if he found the specifics yet, but I’d say he was right on it.”
DOGE Dissolves Early
The remarks surfaced as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — the initiative Musk helped lead during the first months of the Trump administration — was quietly dissolved over the weekend, eight months ahead of schedule, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor told Reuters that DOGE “doesn’t exist” and that the hiring freeze it promoted is no longer in effect. Republicans expressed frustration with the shutdown, with some blaming entrenched Washington interests and others faulting a lack of sustained White House backing, according to Yahoo News, which cited reporting from Salon.
Burchett’s Broader Claims Trace Back to June 4 NGO Hearing
Burchett’s comments in the X video align with statements he made during a June 4 hearing on NGO funding, where he argued that federal dollars flowing through nonprofit networks ultimately benefit political actors.
“I believe that some of the money is flowing back here through some of these NGOs…”
“There’s a pipeline… funded in part by U.S. taxpayers.”
The hearing featured sharp partisan disagreement over whether DOGE-aligned oversight efforts amounted to accountability or political targeting.
Musk has not publicly commented on Burchett’s latest remarks.
Ongoing Political Debate Over NGO Funding
NGOs frequently receive federal grants for humanitarian programs, refugee assistance, housing support, and international development. Critics like Burchett argue that a portion of this grant infrastructure allows politically connected groups to wield influence through undisclosed channels. At the same time, defenders of the sector say the claims are exaggerated and unsupported.
The June 4 hearing featured sharp disagreement on the issue, with majority members alleging waste and misuse of taxpayer dollars, and minority members characterizing DOGE-aligned oversight as politically motivated.
As the debate continues, Musk’s departure from Washington — and DOGE’s sudden shutdown — has renewed attention on the claims Burchett made in the viral video.