Elon Musk Defends Cost-Cutting Plans at White House Amid Controversy
Elon Musk made a surprise appearance at the White House on Tuesday, where he denied leading a “hostile takeover” of the U.S. government and defended his cost-cutting plans. Standing alongside President Donald Trump, Musk addressed reporters in the Oval Office, emphasizing that reducing federal spending is “essential” for the country’s solvency. Trump signed an executive order granting Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) expanded authority to cut the federal workforce, instructing government agencies to comply with its directives.
Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, X, and SpaceX, described the cuts as “common sense” measures, dismissing criticisms that they are draconian or radical. He argued that federal workers represent an “unelected, unconstitutional branch of government” with excessive power. The initiative has faced legal challenges and opposition from Democrats, who accuse Doge of lacking transparency and overstepping its mandate. A federal judge recently blocked Doge from accessing treasury records, citing concerns about interference with congressional funding.
Trump praised Musk’s efforts, claiming that over $1 trillion in wasteful spending would be uncovered, though he provided no evidence. Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have labeled the cost-cutting drive a “hostile takeover” and vowed to block it through legislative measures. Meanwhile, Musk acknowledged potential conflicts of interest due to his extensive business portfolio but maintained that his work is in the public interest.
The cost-cutting measures have drawn international attention, particularly regarding their impact on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). On Tuesday, the agency’s inspector general was fired after releasing a report critical of plans to place most USAID staff on leave and shut down global aid programs. The move has been welcomed by authoritarian leaders in the former Soviet bloc, who have long viewed USAID as a tool of U.S. political interference. Leaders in countries like Georgia and Hungary have seized on Musk’s crackdown to justify their own crackdowns on civil society and media organizations funded by foreign aid.
Despite the controversy, a recent poll indicated that a majority of Americans support Musk’s efforts to reduce federal spending, though opinions vary on the extent of his influence. The ongoing legal and political battles over the cost-cutting initiative suggest that the debate over government efficiency and transparency will remain a contentious issue in the months ahead.
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Elon Musk: It's not 'optional' but 'essential' to cut federal spending | Fox News Video
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