U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he expects Elon Musk to uncover billions in unnecessary spending and abuses within the Pentagon, as part of a financial audit led by the billionaire entrepreneur.
“I will tell him soon, probably within 24 hours, to inspect the Department of Education. Then, we’ll focus on the military, conducting a full financial review,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Brett Baier on Sunday.
“We will find billions, hundreds of millions of dollars in wasteful spending and abuses,” Trump added, referring to the largest federal department with an annual budget nearing $1 trillion.
Musk’s Expanding Role in the U.S. Government
According to the White House, Musk has been designated as a special government employee and has been tasked by Trump with leading efforts to reduce the federal workforce. As part of this initiative, his aides have reportedly sought access to confidential government databases.
Critics argue that these efforts could violate federal laws, risk exposing classified information, and effectively dismantle entire agencies without congressional approval.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz suggested that the Pentagon’s shipbuilding process may be a key target for the audit.
“Everything there seems to cost too much, take too long, and deliver too little to our troops. We need business leaders to reform the Pentagon’s procurement system,” Waltz stated in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Concerns Over Conflict of Interest
While leaders across the political spectrum have long criticized inefficiencies at the Pentagon, Democrats and federal employee unions argue that Musk’s Government Efficiency Department lacks the necessary expertise to restructure the military’s budget.
Moreover, Musk’s companies—including SpaceX and Starlink—hold major defense contracts, raising serious concerns over a potential conflict of interest.
The initiative is expected to face strong legal and political resistance as it moves forward.
