Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and now an advisor to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), addressed issues ranging from cyber threats to wasteful spending in a Fox News interview with Larry Kudlow. Musk discussed a recent cyberattack on X, alleged fraud in government programs, and DOGE’s role in improving oversight.
Cyberattack on X
Musk revealed that X, formerly Twitter, suffered a “massive cyberattack” originating from IP addresses in the Ukraine region. While he did not confirm the exact source, he noted that the attack was an attempt to bring down the platform. Access to X has since been restored.
Government Waste and Fraud
Musk highlighted widespread fraud in federal spending, citing reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). He pointed to wasteful expenditures, including $100 million in loans apparently given to children under 11 and millions of deceased individuals still listed as alive in Social Security records.
DOGE, under Elon Musk’s guidance, has focused on eliminating inefficiencies and stopping fraudulent payments. “All we’re trying to do is get that number down to a much smaller figure, save money for the American taxpayer and stop money being spent on things that very few taxpayers would agree make sense, like transgender animal surgeries.” Musk said. He added that the Biden administration’s own reports estimated government fraud at nearly half a trillion dollars.
Transparency and Oversight
To enhance transparency, DOGE posts all actions on its official website and X account. Musk emphasized that critics struggle to pinpoint specific objections when presented with line-by-line documentation of DOGE’s cost-cutting measures.
A major initiative involves improving tracking of Treasury Department payments. DOGE recommended that all outgoing payments be coded with appropriations and explanations, a move estimated to save $100 billion annually.
Battling Bureaucratic Resistance
Musk described the federal bureaucracy as resistant to change, with entrenched officials often ignoring political appointees. “The bureaucracy is in control, and they’ve largely ignored the politically appointed people,” he said. DOGE acts as “tech support” for government agencies, helping them implement efficiency measures and enforce executive orders.
Musk’s role in DOGE has drawn criticism, but he remains focused on reducing government waste and improving accountability. “We’re adding caring and competence,” he said, underscoring his commitment to reform.
Musk criticized the entrenched bureaucracy in Washington, arguing that unelected officials often obstruct the will of the people. “They try their best to thwart presidential policy, and the president is the elected representative of the people,” he said. “If the president cannot get things implemented with the reflection of the will of the people, there’s not a democracy, there’s a bureaucracy.”
Reasons For Democrat Resistance
Democrats’ resistance to the Department of the Office of Government Ethics (DOGE) taking stronger action against fraud and waste raises serious questions about their motivations. While they publicly champion transparency and accountability, their opposition suggests a deeper political calculation. By limiting DOGE’s effectiveness, they may be protecting entrenched interests, shielding allies, or preventing investigations that could expose misconduct within their ranks.
Government waste and fraud often benefit politically connected individuals and organizations. Billions in taxpayer dollars flow through federal programs, many of which lack strict oversight. A more aggressive DOGE could uncover mismanagement, cronyism, and conflicts of interest that lawmakers prefer to keep hidden. If Democratic leadership fears that stronger enforcement could damage their political allies or disrupt their funding networks, they have every incentive to resist.
Additionally, Democrats have long relied on expanding government programs to maintain voter support. A highly effective watchdog agency cracking down on inefficiency and corruption could highlight the failures of large government initiatives, undermining their core policy arguments. Rather than reforming these systems, it may be easier to weaken oversight and maintain the status quo.
Their opposition also aligns with a broader pattern of resisting accountability measures that threaten their control over government institutions. Whether it’s obstructing efforts to clean up election processes, limiting investigations into bureaucratic misconduct, or attacking watchdog agencies, many in the Democratic Party appear more concerned with preserving power than ensuring responsible governance.
The “bridges to nowhere” at 1:20… https://t.co/gZMWPoWtj4
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) March 15, 2025
