Trump Claims Musk Will Help Uncover ‘Hundreds of Billions’ In Government Fraud

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Elon Musk will play a key role in uncovering “hundreds of billions of dollars” in government fraud as part of his administration’s efforts to cut federal spending.

In a Fox News interview aired before the Super Bowl, Trump said the American people want him to eliminate waste, adding that Musk, whom he has tasked with overseeing cost-cutting measures, has been “a great help” in identifying excessive government spending.

Trump has appointed the Tesla and SpaceX CEO to lead federal cost-cutting efforts through the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Over the past three weeks, the administration has taken aggressive steps to reduce government expenditures, though no evidence of widespread fraud has been publicly revealed.

One of Musk’s most controversial moves so far has been shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and laying off hundreds of employees. Critics have raised concerns over DOGE’s access to millions of Americans’ financial data through the U.S. Treasury Department.

The administration’s rapid reforms have faced legal roadblocks:
A federal judge temporarily halted the plan to place 2,200 USAID employees on paid leave.
Another court blocked DOGE from accessing Treasury Department payment systems containing sensitive personal data.

Democrats have fiercely opposed Trump’s actions. Senator Chris Murphy accused the administration of pushing a “billionaire takeover of government” and undermining democracy.

“The president wants to decide how money is spent to reward his allies and punish his enemies,” Murphy told ABC News, calling it “an assault on the Constitution.”

However, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a top Republican leader, dismissed concerns, calling Musk “an outside auditor” helping to expose “incredible abuses” in federal spending.

Trump has also signaled plans to review the $850 billion Pentagon budget, saying the military’s procurement process “costs too much, takes too long, and delivers too little.” He also vowed to target the Department of Education, a frequent Republican priority.

Despite Musk’s deep business ties with the government—including military contracts—Trump dismissed any suggestion of a conflict of interest, insisting that “he’s not gaining anything” from his role in DOGE.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz defended Musk’s involvement in government restructuring, saying “we need great minds and business leaders” to reform bloated federal agencies.

As Trump’s restructuring efforts continue, his alliance with Musk is expected to remain a flashpoint for political and legal battles in Washington.