In a bold move that has captured national attention, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is rumored to have invested $40 million in five Super Bowl commercials aimed at exposing government waste identified by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These ads are set to air during today’s Super Bowl LIX, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Department of Government Efficiency, established by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, is tasked with reducing federal spending. Led by Musk, the task force claims to have saved over $1 billion by cutting wasteful contracts, such as those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, DOGE has also raised concerns among Democrats and consumer advocates, especially after gaining access to the Treasury Department’s payment system, which contains personal data for millions of Americans.
Supporters of DOGE argue that its mission to reduce unnecessary government spending is critical, particularly as the national debt has skyrocketed to $36 trillion. Trump has called for cuts to programs that don’t align with his policies and a reduction in the federal workforce. However, critics worry that Musk’s involvement with DOGE could present conflicts of interest, given his companies, including SpaceX, receive billions in government contracts. They raise concerns about potential access to sensitive data regarding competitors’ federal contracts.
Super Bowl advertising is among the most expensive in the world, with a 30-second spot for this year’s game costing around $8 million. Musk has not confirmed nor denied the rumors regarding his Super Bowl ads, so fans will have to wait for the game on February 9th between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles to see if the commercials materialize.
This development follows previous Super Bowl advertising controversies involving Musk and Tesla. In 2024, The Dawn Project aired ads during the Super Bowl criticizing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, urging viewers to boycott the company. These ads depicted Tesla vehicles allegedly failing to detect child mannequins and ignoring safety signals, leading to public debate over the safety of autonomous driving technologies.
As the Super Bowl approaches, anticipation builds not only for the game but also for the high-profile advertisements that accompany it. If the rumors are true, Musk’s commercials could spark significant discussion about government spending and the role of private individuals in public sector oversight.
