# Elon Musk Wants Treasury to Send Checks

> Elon Musk says AI could make money unnecessary by 2036, urging Treasury to issue checks.
- Title: Elon Musk Wants Treasury to Send Checks · 24/7 Wall St.
- Summary: Elon Musk says AI could make money unnecessary by 2036, urging Treasury to issue checks. Elon Musk argues AI-driven productivity could eliminate work by…
- Keywords: elon musk, treasury, universal high income, doge, federal spending, government efficiency, musk tax comments, federal workforce, government savings, government accountability office, fiscal policy, Elon
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/economy/2026/09/22/elon-musk-wanted-trillions-cut-from-washington-now-he-says-treasury-should-send-people-checks
- Author: Mike Barrington
- Published: 2026-09-22T15:35:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: elon musk, treasury, ai, universal high income, doge, federal spending, government efficiency, musk tax comments, federal workforce, government savings, government accountability office, fiscal policy
## Musk's AI Future Vision
Elon Musk told The Economist that AI could make work optional by 2036.

> work is going to be optional
## Treasury Checks Proposal
Musk suggested Treasury issue people checks if AI eliminates most human labor.

> issue people checks
## DOGE Era Background
Musk served as a special government employee in DOGE during Trump's administration.

> Department of Government Efficiency
## DOGE Savings Target
Musk initially claimed federal spending could be cut by at least $2 trillion.

> $2 trillion
## DOGE Savings Progress
DOGE reported $215 billion in savings through contract cancellations and workforce reductions.

> $215 billion
## GAO Audit Findings
Government Accountability Office found 96% of DOGE grant savings lacked verification.

> 96%
## Workforce Reductions
Federal employment fell by 256,000 workers across 22 agencies between Dec 2024 and Jan 2026.

> 256,000
## Musk's Tax Estimates
Musk estimated taxes consume 45% of income and could take another similar share at death.

> 45%
## Current Federal Spending
Federal outlays reached $7.01 trillion in fiscal 2025, up from $6.73 trillion in fiscal 2024.

> $7.01 trillion
## Inflation Status
Consumer prices were 3.4% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier.

> 3.4%
## Musk's Universal High Income
Musk distinguishes universal high income from universal basic income, arguing it requires abundant goods and services.

> universal high income
## DOGE Savings Decline
DOGE's savings target dropped from $2 trillion to $150 billion in fiscal 2026.

> $150 billion
## Musk's AI Productivity Claim
Musk argues AI could create goods and services faster than money supply grows, causing deflation.

> deflation
## Musk's 2036 Prediction
Musk predicts money won't matter in 2036 if AI makes goods and services abundant.

> money won't matter in 2036
## Key takeaway

Elon Musk argues AI-driven productivity could eliminate work by 2036, requiring Treasury to issue universal high income checks.