In a rare moment of bipartisan agreement, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) publicly backed Elon Musk’s criticism of wasteful government spending, specifically highlighting inefficiencies within the Department of Defense. Sanders, long known for his progressive stance on fiscal policies, surprised many by echoing Musk’s call for accountability in federal spending.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sanders pointed to the Pentagon’s repeated financial mismanagement, which recently included failing its seventh consecutive audit.
“Elon Musk is right,” Sanders posted. “The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions. Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change.”
The Department of Defense’s inability to account for its massive budget has been a point of contention for years, drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle. Its seventh failed audit in November revealed that billions of dollars in its $824 billion budget for 2024 remain unaccounted for.
This lack of transparency has led to growing frustration among lawmakers and taxpayers alike. Sanders, a frequent critic of the “Military-Industrial Complex,” emphasized the urgency for reform, noting that the issue transcends traditional partisan divides.
Elon Musk, recently tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to co-lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been vocal about addressing wasteful federal spending. Alongside former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk aims to overhaul how government agencies manage taxpayer money.
In a joint op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy outlined their vision for DOGE, describing themselves as “entrepreneurs, not politicians,” dedicated to implementing cost-saving measures.
“Our goal is to identify and hire a lean team of small-government crusaders, including some of the sharpest technical and legal minds in America,” the pair wrote.
The Department of Government Efficiency has identified three primary areas of focus:
- Regulatory Rescissions: Eliminating outdated or unnecessary regulations.
- Administrative Reductions: Streamlining federal government operations to cut inefficiencies.
- Cost Savings: Implementing measurable strategies to reduce waste across federal agencies.
Musk and Ramaswamy plan to achieve reforms primarily through executive action, leveraging existing legislation to drive immediate change without needing new laws.
In response to Sanders’ endorsement, Musk’s America super PAC stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility as a nonpartisan issue.
“Sensible spending is not a partisan issue,” the PAC posted on X. “The general public supports @DOGE holding government accountable to spend taxpayer money more wisely.”
This sentiment underscores a growing awareness among Americans about the need for transparency and efficiency in government spending, especially with the national debt exceeding $33 trillion.
Sanders’ agreement with Musk highlights a broader frustration with systemic inefficiency across federal agencies. Historically, Sanders has been a vocal critic of unchecked military spending, while Musk represents a private-sector perspective on cost management. Their alignment suggests a unique opportunity for bipartisan collaboration in addressing waste and fraud.
This unexpected partnership comes at a pivotal moment as the incoming Trump administration prioritizes cost-cutting and accountability in government operations. DOGE, with its emphasis on entrepreneurial expertise and outside-the-box solutions, is poised to play a key role in these efforts.
While Sanders’ support for Musk’s stance has drawn praise, it has also sparked criticism from some of his progressive allies. Critics argue that Musk’s role in government, given his significant business interests, may present conflicts of interest. Others question whether DOGE’s reforms will adequately address underlying structural issues in federal agencies.
Similarly, defense experts warn against oversimplifying military spending issues. They contend that while waste exists, blanket cuts or reforms without proper understanding could harm national security.
Despite these concerns, the growing consensus on the need for reform signals a shift in the national conversation. With Sanders pushing for congressional action and Musk spearheading DOGE’s initiatives, there’s hope for meaningful progress in addressing government inefficiencies.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s collaboration blends private-sector innovation with public policy, creating a framework that could hold federal agencies accountable while delivering tangible value to taxpayers. Sanders’ unexpected endorsement lends further weight to this effort, illustrating that government accountability transcends ideological divides.
As the Pentagon faces renewed scrutiny and DOGE begins its work, all eyes will be on whether this unconventional partnership can deliver the reforms it promises. Whether it’s through regulatory rollbacks, administrative streamlining, or aggressive cost-cutting, one thing is clear: the push for fiscal responsibility is gaining momentum across the political spectrum.
