Musk Receives Standing Ovation at Trump Speech as President Touts “DOGE” Savings
Tesla CEO Elon Musk was met with thunderous applause from Republicans as he was introduced as a guest at President Trump’s address to Congress last night, Fox News reports.
The warm reception preceded a speech in which Trump lauded the newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency,” or “DOGE,” headed by Musk, and highlighted what he described as egregious examples of wasteful government spending the department has allegedly cut.
“The brand new Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, perhaps you’ve heard of it,” Trump stated, gesturing towards Musk, who was seated in the gallery. “Which is headed by Elon Musk, who is in the gallery tonight? Thank you, Elon.”
Following the Republican applause, Trump directed a remark towards the Democratic side of the aisle:
“He’s working very hard. He didn’t need this. He didn’t need this. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Everybody here, even this side, appreciates that I believe. They just don’t want to admit it.”
Trump then transitioned into a litany of programs that DOGE had reportedly targeted for elimination. He cited figures totaling billions of dollars, claiming the department had already identified $22 billion in wasteful spending.
“Just listen to some of the appalling waste,” Trump declared.
He then listed examples ranging from “free housing and cars for illegal aliens” through the Department of Health and Human Services, to smaller initiatives such as “$45 million for diversity, equity and inclusion scholarships in Burma,” and “$8 million to Promote LGBTQI plus in the African nation of Lesotho.”
Other examples included funding for “social and economic inclusion of sedentary migrants,” “indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombian empowerment in Central America,” “making mice transgender,” “a left-wing propaganda operation in Moldova,” “male circumcision in Mozambique,” and “the Arab Sesame Street in the Middle East.”
Trump concluded the section by saying:
“And there are far worse. But I didn’t think it was appropriate to talk about them. They’re so bad. Many more have been found out and exposed and swiftly terminated by a group of very intelligent, mostly young people headed up by Elon, and we appreciate it.”
Throughout Trump’s recitation of wasteful spending, objections could be heard from Democratic members of Congress. While Republicans cheered and applauded, Democrats largely remained seated.
The DOGE program, and its focus on cutting government spending, has been a subject of considerable controversy and protest, primarily from the Democratic party, who argue that the cuts disproportionately affect vital social programs and services. The program’s reliance on Musk, a figure known for his sometimes controversial public statements, has also drawn criticism.
