Washington, D.C., April 14, 2025 – A viral graphic attributed to former New York Assistant Attorney General Tristan Snell accuses Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of corruption, claiming they “killed” USAID and the CFPB, moved a $2.3 billion contract from Verizon to Starlink, and forced the Social Security Administration (SSA) to use Starlink exclusively. The post, dated April 14, labels these actions as “100% CORRUPTION!!” but many of the claims lack evidence.
Snell, who prosecuted Trump University in 2013, has been a vocal critic of Musk’s role in the Trump administration. The graphic alleges DOGE “killed” USAID, which is investigating Starlink’s alleged support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, per a Bloomberg report on March 12. However, USAID remains operational, and the investigation is ongoing. The claim that DOGE “killed” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is also unfounded—while DOGE proposed budget cuts, the CFPB continues to function, as seen in its April 10 announcement of new mortgage rules.
The accusation of moving a $2.3 billion contract from Verizon to Starlink misrepresents a February 2025 FCC decision. Starlink was awarded a $2.3 billion contract for rural broadband under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, but Verizon received a separate $1.8 billion contract in the same program, per Reuters. There’s no evidence of a contract being “moved.” Similarly, the claim that the SSA was forced to use Starlink exclusively lacks support. The SSA has used Starlink for rural offices since 2023 to improve connectivity, but this is not exclusive, and no DOGE mandate has been reported.
Snell’s broader corruption narrative aligns with his past criticisms, including a March 2025 X post calling Musk’s DOGE role a “conflict of interest” due to Starlink’s government contracts. Public reaction on X is polarized—some users echo Snell’s concerns, while others defend Musk, arguing the claims are exaggerated. The graphic amplifies Snell’s rhetoric but lacks substantiation for its specific allegations, reflecting ongoing debates over Musk’s influence in Trump’s administration.
As of April 14, the claims of “killing” agencies and forcing exclusive contracts remain unverified, casting doubt on the graphic’s assertions. While Musk’s role in DOGE continues to draw scrutiny, Snell’s accusations highlight the need for concrete evidence in evaluating such serious charges of corruption.
