Elon Musk brands Tim Walz a ‘traitor’ amid widening Minnesota fraud investigations

WASHINGTON, DC: Elon Musk jumped on social media this week and went after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, slamming him over allegations of fraud in the state’s social services system.

The remarks came as federal authorities and lawmakers focus on alleged fraud involving several programs in Minnesota, including a $250 million scheme involving the Feeding Our Future nonprofit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elon Musk lashes out at Tim Walz

Tim Walz has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks amid these investigations, as President Donald Trump labeled Minnesota a "hub of fraudulent money laundering activity."

Musk has also been active on X, slamming and criticizing Walz on his involvement in the fraud, and has been taking an active interest in the investigation.

Recently, he wrote on X, “Traitor Tim Walz”

Musk’s comments came in response to another post on social media joking about a caller informing personal finance expert Dave Ramsey on his radio program about Walz’s leadership as governor.

Minnesota fraud probes intensify

The Trump administration and lawmakers have launched probes into Minnesota's "Feeding Our Future" $250 million fraud scheme that allegedly targeted a children's nutrition program the Department of Agriculture funded and that Minnesota oversaw during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At least 77 people have been charged in that scheme, which took advantage of the US Department of Agriculture's decision to waive certain Federal Child Nutrition Program requirements.

Authorities are also looking into other programs like housing and Medicaid services, and federal officials and Homeland Security investigators say their work isn’t done yet.

As they find more evidence, more people will likely end up facing charges.

The bulk of those charged are part of Minnesota’s Somali population, prompting Trump to announce in November that he was ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali migrants in Minnesota that offers protection against deportation. 

Walz’s office has rejected claims that he ignored fraud or acted improperly.

State officials and his spokesperson have pointed to efforts the governor says his administration has taken over the years to strengthen oversight and crack down on suspected fraud.

"Our investigative agents are conducting a massive operation to identify, arrest, and remove criminals who are defrauding the American people. We will root out this rampant fraud plaguing Minnesota," the Department of Homeland Security wrote on X.