Tech billionaire Elon Musk revealed Wednesday that he’s received a pile of death threats because of his efforts to slash federal spending.

Speaking at President Trump’s first Cabinet meeting, Mr. Musk said that cost-cutting moves are necessary because the U.S. is on pace to go bankrupt if spending isn’t curbed. That makes his work “essential,” he said.

“That’s the reason I’m here and getting a lot of death threats, by the way,” Mr. Musk said. “I mean, I like to stack them up, you know?”

Mr. Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, has come under heavy criticism from Democrats and government workers for his efforts to reduce costs and government workers. Reports surfaced that some of Mr. Trump’s Cabinet secretaries pushed back, although press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that was fake news.

Last week, an Indiana man was arrested for posting death threats against Mr. Musk on X, a platform the executive owns.

The Indianan, David Cherry of Palmyra, was charged with intimidation in relation to the post. When authorities executed a search warrant, they found an AR-15-style rifle, handgun, ammunition and ballistic vest in the residence.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.