Tesla CEO Elon Musk Issues ‘Terrifying’ $36 Trillion Warning

Bitcoins

Tesla billionaire Elon Musk hit the campaign trail for Donald Trump last year, declaring a “financial emergency” as U.S. debt spirals out of control and laying the foundation for his Doge department of government efficiency—which could soon be powered by bitcoin technology.

Unlock over $3,000 in NFT, web3 and crypto perks — Apply now!

The bitcoin price surged—crossing the $100,000 per bitcoin level—as traders bet soaring U.S. debt would create a “doom loop” that pushed bitcoin higher.

Now, after Musk backed bitcoin hero Ron Paul, author of 2009 book End The Fed, for Federal Reserve chair, Musk has called the climbing U.S. debt clock “terrifying”—as Donald Trump’s crypto czar David Sacks confirms he’s working on Trump’s plan to create a bitcoin reserve that could “wipe out” U.S. debt.

Sign up now for the free CryptoCodexA daily five-minute newsletter for traders, investors and the crypto-curious that will get you up to date and keep you ahead of the bitcoin and crypto market bull run

Forbes‘Buckle Up’—Global Bitcoin ‘Race’ Suddenly Begins As Price Braces For ‘Important’ Trump UpdateBy Billy Bambrough

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has warned the climbing U.S. debt clocking is “terrifying” as U.S. … [+] national reserve of bitcoin is being studied by White House officials.

Getty Images

“The debt clock is terrifying,” Musk posted to X this week, referring to the U.S. Debt Clock website that tracks government spending and has recently added a section for Musk’s Doge that’s already racked up $100 billion worth of savings.

Musk was responding to U.S. senator Mike Lee who posted that he found the soaring U.S. debt of $36 trillion “deeply disturbing—even with the Doge numbers providing a glimmer of hope.”

Musk, who was tapped to lead the Doge department by Trump’s transition team leader Howard Lutnick before Lutnick was named Commerce secretary,

Last year, speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 conference, Trump promised to create a “strategic national bitcoin reserve” before going on to tell Fox Business: “Who knows, maybe we’ll pay off our $35 trillion; hand them a little crypto check, right? Hand them a little bitcoin, and wipe out our $35 trillion.”

U.S. debt has soared over recent years, topping $34 trillion at the beginning of 2024 before climbing over $35 trillion just a year later, with Covid-era stimulus measures contributing to massive government spending and helping to send inflation spiraling out of control in 2022.

Inflation of over 10% forced the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates at a historical clip, pushing up debt interest payments and fueling fears of a “death spiral.”

Earlier this week, Donald Trump’s crypto czar David Sacks teased “important announcements are coming soon” after confirming the Trump administration is exploring the feasibility of a national reserve of bitcoin, similar to the U.S.’s oil and gold reserves.

“That is one of the first things we’re going to look at as part of the internal working group in the administration,” Sacks said of a potential bitcoin reserve at a press conference earlier this month.

Sacks has posted to X that “the inter-agency working group on digital assets is working well together to implement the president’s agenda.”

Sign up now for CryptoCodex—A free, daily newsletter for the crypto-curious

Forbes‘This Needs To Stop Now’—Elon Musk Confirms Radical Doge U.S. Treasury PlanBy Billy Bambrough

The bitcoin price has surged over recent years, climbing as U.S. debt has spiraled out of control … [+] and led to Tesla billionaire Elon Musk calling the situation “terrifying.”

Forbes Digital Assets

The Doge department is a nod to the shiba inu doge meme that’s also linked to the dogecoin cryptocurrency, named by Musk as his “favorite” cryptocurrency and accepted as payment by his Tesla car company.

The dogecoin price has rocketed higher following Trump’s election victory, surging along with the bitcoin price, as traders bet Musk’s proximity to the U.S. president will further boost the meme-based bitcoin rival.

Billy Bambrough Read More

Latest

How Does an LLC Work?

An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, combines the advantages of corporations and partnerships, providing personal liability protection for its members. This means your personal assets are shielded from business debts. Moreover, LLCs typically enjoy pass-through taxation, which simplifies how profits and losses are reported on personal tax returns. With flexibility in management structure, LLCs can

Wintermute Launches Armitage DeFi Vault Platform for Institutions

You are here: Home / Cryptocurrency News / Wintermute Launches Armitage DeFi Vault Platform for Institutions Wintermute has announced Armitage, a new DeFi vault curation business for professional investors and institutions. The algorithmic trading firm said the product will support risk management and yield generation in decentralized lending markets through on-chain, non-custodial vaults for users

What Is a Sole Proprietor Business?

A sole proprietor business is a straightforward structure where you’re the sole owner, and there’s no legal distinction between you and your business. This means you have complete control over operations and profits, but it additionally means you bear personal responsibility for any debts or liabilities. With minimal paperwork and simple tax management, it’s an

SUI Price Eyes $1.50 as Ramp Integration Boosts Bullish Momentum

You are here: Home / Cryptocurrency News / SUI Price Eyes $1.50 as Ramp Integration Boosts Bullish Momentum SUI price has gained momentum following Ramp’s announcement to support Sui-based USDC payments, driven by growing optimism around Sui’s expanding payment and utility ecosystem. Stablecoin payment integrations are becoming increasingly important for Layer-1 ecosystems as blockchain networks

Newsletter

Don't miss

How Does an LLC Work?

An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, combines the advantages of corporations and partnerships, providing personal liability protection for its members. This means your personal assets are shielded from business debts. Moreover, LLCs typically enjoy pass-through taxation, which simplifies how profits and losses are reported on personal tax returns. With flexibility in management structure, LLCs can

Wintermute Launches Armitage DeFi Vault Platform for Institutions

You are here: Home / Cryptocurrency News / Wintermute Launches Armitage DeFi Vault Platform for Institutions Wintermute has announced Armitage, a new DeFi vault curation business for professional investors and institutions. The algorithmic trading firm said the product will support risk management and yield generation in decentralized lending markets through on-chain, non-custodial vaults for users

What Is a Sole Proprietor Business?

A sole proprietor business is a straightforward structure where you’re the sole owner, and there’s no legal distinction between you and your business. This means you have complete control over operations and profits, but it additionally means you bear personal responsibility for any debts or liabilities. With minimal paperwork and simple tax management, it’s an

SUI Price Eyes $1.50 as Ramp Integration Boosts Bullish Momentum

You are here: Home / Cryptocurrency News / SUI Price Eyes $1.50 as Ramp Integration Boosts Bullish Momentum SUI price has gained momentum following Ramp’s announcement to support Sui-based USDC payments, driven by growing optimism around Sui’s expanding payment and utility ecosystem. Stablecoin payment integrations are becoming increasingly important for Layer-1 ecosystems as blockchain networks

Tesla’s Business Has Become Much More Diversified in Just the Past Five Years. Does That Make Its Stock a Better Buy Today?

Key Points Tesla's energy generation and storage segment generated 27% revenue growth last year. The company's non-automotive segments were able to help offset a double-digit decline in auto revenue in 2025. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is known for its electric vehicles (EVs), and while they

WD sees sustainability as key business driver in an ‘AI economy’

Hard drive company WD promoted long-term operations and sustainability executive Jackie Jung to become its first chief sustainability officer in February, as it steps up sales to companies building AI data centers. Her vision: Turn sustainability into a “brand” for WD, a strategy that reduces risk for the $6 billion company (formerly known as Western

5 Business Ideas Worth Starting in 2026

If there is one thing Nigerians understand well, it is how to spot opportunity inside hardship. In 2026, that mindset will matter more than ever. The economy is tough, competition is rising, and many people are looking for smarter ways to earn, build, and survive. But even in a difficult environment, some businesses still stand