In a rare moment of agreement with a tech billionaire, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) backed Elon Musk’s critique of federal government waste, particularly in the Pentagon’s massive budget. Sanders called out the Department of Defense for its continued inability to account for its spending, a problem highlighted by its failure to pass a seventh consecutive audit.
“Elon Musk is right,” Sanders said. “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.”
Elon Musk is right.
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.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 1, 2024
The Vermont senator’s comment came as Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy were tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to head the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their mission: identify and eliminate unnecessary government spending. Musk, a frequent critic of government inefficiency, now seems to have found an unlikely ally in Sanders, who has often been one of his sharpest critics on issues like wealth inequality.
Reaction to Sanders’ statement was swift and varied. Some applauded his willingness to criticize the defense budget. Others, however, noted Sanders’ history of voting for Democratic priorities that have also ballooned the federal budget. Conservative commentator Mike Cernovich didn’t hold back, saying, “Instead of posting, VOTE to approve Republican nominees. Which you won’t do. You’re a feckless old man who posts something now-and-then, but when it’s time to use political power, you do what the military industrial complex orders you to.”
Instead of posting, VOTE to approve Republican nominees. Which you won’t do. You’re a feckless old man who posts something now-and-then, but when it’s time to use political power, you do what the military industrial complex orders you to.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) December 1, 2024
Sanders’ remarks were sparked by the Pentagon’s latest audit failure. Out of 28 reporting entities, only nine received unmodified opinions, meaning the auditors couldn’t fully verify the agency’s $824 billion budget. Michael McCord, Under Secretary of Defense and Chief Financial Officer, acknowledged the problem but claimed the department was making progress. “Momentum is on our side,” McCord said, optimistically aiming for a clean audit by 2028.
For Sanders, the issue underscores a broader critique of unchecked government spending, particularly in the defense sector. His comments align with a growing sentiment among Americans frustrated by waste and lack of accountability in Washington.
The agreement between Sanders and Musk highlights the potential for bipartisan efforts to rein in federal waste. Whether this alignment leads to real change, or just more political posturing, remains to be seen.
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