Tim Burchett ignites MAGA firestorm with big ask of Elon Musk

Republican Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett sparked a firestorm with a call for Elon Musk to return to DOGE.

Burchett, a DOGE subcommittee member, suggested that Musk return to the government waste-slashing department on Tuesday amid countless reports of widespread fraud countrywide.

Then do California. pic.twitter.com/qbRdwr5MDr

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 2, 2026

Musk left the Department of Government Efficiency after his 130-day term in May, after enduring massive pushback and attacks from Democrats and little support from the GOP.

Despite the insurmountable odds, DOGE has reportedly claimed $215 billion in savings through contract cuts, grant terminations, and workforce reductions since early 2025, according to Grok, AI.

But there’s so much more to be done, as is obvious thanks to citizen journalists uncovering massive fraud scandals perpetrated by foreign actors, from Minnesota and beyond.

Retweet if you think @elonmusk should be back at DOGE.

— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) January 2, 2026

Burchett’s call for Musk to return to DOGE prompted plenty of passionate and varied reactions from X users, with many asking why Musk would return after the way he was treated.

🚨 BREAKING: Rep. Tim Burchett says Elon Musk should return to DOGE in the Trump administration

This would be MASSIVE!

Supercharging DOGE and fraud exposure during the 2026 midterms is how you energize the base. 🔥🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/p0R1atLx5b

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 2, 2026

It would be massive, but…

Elon won’t come back.

He knows the GOP doesn’t want him there.

That’s the sad reality of the situation that no one wants to admit it.

Shunned by Democrats and finally, blocked by the GOP.

He tried to save America anyway and the GOP hated him for it.

Makes me sick.

— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) January 2, 2026

He has other work to do that will actually get done problems will be solved and humanity will advance. Unlike a government position where he’s mistreated beaten and talk to like no one deserves.

— 🌿Alita Gail🌿 (@RealAlitaGail) January 2, 2026

Are you kidding? You people ran him out of town.

You embraced the swamp creatures like Michael Lawlor, and attacked the fiscal conservatives.

— Erich Hartmann (@erichhartmann) January 2, 2026

Serious question 🙋‍♂️ why would he waste his time? Only 1 doge cut was codified. And then to top it off you all passed a massive spending bill 👏

— Nick Johnson (@NickJohhnson) January 2, 2026

On the other hand, plenty of others encouraged the idea given the country’s current circumstances.

Yes, sir! Momentum is back, and the citizenry is demanding accountability for those robbing us blind daily!

— Jay Gatling (@apinionsvary) January 2, 2026

The Swamp is so corrupt, we almost need to start over.

— Planet Of Memes (@PlanetOfMemes) January 2, 2026

That would shake things up fast Musk diving back in would put transparency and disruption front and center.

— Michael E. NIX (@MichaelNIXG) January 2, 2026

Others thought Musk’s talents are better used elsewhere:

No. Elon has humanity to save and very important companies to run.
We need his influence on X not openly fighting politicians in public.

We the ppl must fight back.

— Djw 829 (@Djw829) January 2, 2026

Nah, he needs to primarily focus moving humanity forward with his other ventures. Can’t put everything on him and DJT. The GOP is a joke and will never learn to fight like either of them.

— Andrew Chambers (@Chambers1776) January 2, 2026