CNN’s Abby Phillip got a brutal reality check this week after trying—and failing—to blame Elon Musk and DOGE for the GOP’s Wisconsin Supreme Court loss with a string of provably false claims. The moment unfolded during a tense segment with former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who didn’t let the lies go unanswered.
Phillip insisted Musk showed up in the state “talking about cutting Medicaid and Social Security” during a high-profile rally for conservative candidate Brad Schimel. That’s simply false, and Walker wasted no time setting the record straight.
Walker calmly but firmly explained that Musk not only didn’t call for entitlement cuts, he specifically went out of his way to say the opposite. “He explicitly said that he would not cut Social Security,” Walker told Phillip. “That’s exactly what he said.”
When Phillip shifted the goalposts and claimed DOGE staffers made the comments instead, Walker didn’t budge. “No, I was at the rally,” he replied. “Not one of them said that. That’s what protesters said, but nobody there actually said that.”
This is a prime example of how legacy media outlets—especially CNN—routinely recycle left-wing talking points and hope no one challenges them. But Walker was ready. And more importantly, he was right.
The Real Record: What Musk and DOGE Actually Said
The smear attempts about Musk’s rally statements are falling apart under scrutiny, and the receipts are easy to find. During the Green Bay event, Musk had a public conversation with DOGE volunteer Antonio Gracias about rampant fraud in Social Security and Medicare—not cutting legitimate benefits.
Musk stated clearly, “DOGE will absolutely ensure that people get their Social Security… and will not be cutting any legitimate payments whatsoever. Crystal clear.” Gracias reinforced that message, saying DOGE was cracking down on fraudsters, not seniors. “Nothing has happened on the ground that would impact the level of payments going to people that legitimately are owed those payments. Period.”
That didn’t stop CNN from running with a fabricated narrative that lines up neatly with Democrat fearmongering—and potentially helped sway voters. The left and their media allies know how powerful a court seat can be in a state like Wisconsin. With abortion, election integrity, and redistricting battles looming, turning voters with scare tactics is a familiar tactic.
Phillip’s Deflection Fails Spectacularly
To her credit, Phillip tried to pivot by asking whether Musk’s presence had any political risks. But the damage was already done. Walker highlighted how the real threat wasn’t Musk, but the lies being spread about him.
“There are [risks] if people believe the lies that people were saying about that,” Walker said. “If people believe that Medicaid and Medicare is going to be touched, that’s just a flat-out lie.”
He’s right. And it’s a masterclass in how conservatives should push back. Don’t just refute the lie—demand receipts. If CNN or anyone else claims DOGE is attacking entitlements, they’d better be ready to produce a quote, a video, or a policy memo. In this case, they’ve got nothing.
Media Desperation Is Showing
It’s telling that legacy media is grasping at straws to vilify Trump allies like Musk and DOGE, especially when they show up in key battleground states. Wisconsin is once again ground zero for the 2026 midterms and the ongoing legal-political war between Trump’s populist agenda and the activist courts trying to derail it. Democrats know they can’t beat Musk on merit, so they resort to smears.
But as this exchange shows, the smear campaign is unraveling. Musk is not cutting Social Security. DOGE is not targeting the poor. They are targeting fraud, waste, and corruption—and that terrifies the swamp.
Scorecard for this segment? Musk, DOGE, and Walker: 1. CNN: 0.
