On April 20, 2025, Dan Berulis, a federal IT staffer, found his car’s brake line cut just a day after Elon Musk accused him on X of fabricating a whistleblower report. Berulis had alleged that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was involved in a cybersecurity breach. Musk’s post, which labeled Berulis as a liar, led to widespread online speculation. Despite the police confirming the brake line was cut, they closed the investigation without identifying a suspect. In April 2026, Berulis filed a defamation lawsuit against Musk, claiming reckless disregard for the truth. The case remains unresolved.

