House DOGE Hearing Erupts as Democrat Dubs Trump 'Grifter in Chief,' Mentions 'President Musk'

A House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing descended into chaos on Tuesday after a Democrat repeatedly referred to the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as "President Musk" and former President Donald Trump as the "grifter in chief." The hearing was intended to address billions in government waste as identified by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., opened the session by accusing Democrats of refusing to collaborate with Republicans on their oversight plan.

"Instead of working together, the Democrats informed us that they have amendments to the plan but are refusing to discuss them with me in advance. They kept any changes. They wanted a secret," Comer stated. He further alleged that Democrats "would rather hear themselves talk about President Trump and the evil Elon Musk than work together on actual oversight that the American people are demanding."

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Ranking Member Gerry Connolly, D-Va., retorted, criticizing the Republican oversight plan for its perceived leniency toward the Trump administration. "The sins of omission in this plan are damning," Connolly argued.

Tensions flared when Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., addressed the committee. "People like the grifter in chief Trump and President Musk are openly using their public offices to enrich themselves to the tune of billions of dollars," Frost charged. "So if we want to look at waste, fraud and abuse… why is there a complete silence on the other side of the aisle about looking at the complete grifter that is the President of the United States and the richest man on the earth?"

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., raised an objection, and Comer called a point of order. Frost insisted he could refer to Elon Musk as the president, while Connolly asserted that the First Amendment remained intact.

Comer offered Frost the opportunity to "revise" his remarks regarding the president, who is protected by House decorum rules, but Frost stood his ground. "I'll say President Musk and grifter in chief Trump," Frost declared, prompting another point of order.

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"President Musk and the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who is engaged in grifting of the American people, often use their public offices to enrich themselves," Frost continued, until Comer intervened.

Comer addressed the motion against Frost for "disparaging the president," stating, "If you're willing to request unanimous consent to withdraw the disparaging comments about President Trump, I guess you can disparage Elon Musk if you want."

"I will withdraw grifter in chief," Frost conceded. "I will say the president's grifting because you spent the last two years saying President Biden was corrupt."

Comer barred Frost from further participation, a decision Connolly challenged. A vote upheld the decision to strike Frost's words from the record, preventing him from speaking further. "It's despicable that this committee is going to silence me," Frost interjected.

After about 40 minutes of contention, the hearing recessed. Upon its return, the committee heard from GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro regarding recommendations for DOGE.

Frost took to X, writing, "James Comer can hide behind the Sergeant in Arms and try to have me removed, arrested, and silenced… But that’s not going to stop me from calling out Donald Trump’s grift and his bullsh--."

"These snowflakes are really pissed off about me saying President Musk and calling Trump the Grifter-in-Chief. I guess the truth can be tough for some people," he added.