Elon Musk responded to critics of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by sharing a recently surfaced video of former President Barack Obama announcing a similar initiative over ten years ago.
On his X platform, Musk shared a 2011 clip of Obama introducing the “Campaign to Cut Waste,” aimed at minimizing unnecessary government expenditures. Musk remarked on the parallels, stating, “Sounds exactly like DOGE.”
In the video, Obama humorously mentioned appointing then-Vice President Joe Biden to lead the campaign, quipping, “Nobody messes with Joe.”
Obama pointed out various instances of what he termed “pointless waste and stupid spending that doesn’t benefit anybody,” which were identified early in the campaign. One example he cited was the ongoing funding for a website dedicated to a folk music group known as the “Fiddlin’ Foresters.” Below is a transcript of the exchange:
Obama: “Everyone knows that eliminating the deficit will necessitate some difficult choices, including cutting billions of dollars from programs that many people value. However, it should be straightforward to eliminate pointless waste and foolish spending that serves no one, waste we should address even in the absence of a deficit. While some of these cuts may seem minor, no level of waste is acceptable. Not when it’s your money, especially at a time when so many Americans are already tightening their belts. Just as families are managing their finances, the government should do the same. Did you know the federal government funds a website for a folk music group made up of forest rangers? They call themselves the Fiddlin’ Foresters. I might enjoy their music on my iPod, but I refuse to pay for their website. Moreover, there are hundreds of similar sites that we should either consolidate or eliminate. Additionally, you are not only funding unnecessary websites; you are also financing thousands of unused buildings across the nation.”Obama: Over the past ten years, the government has owned a large, entirely vacant warehouse located in the heart of Brooklyn, among other properties. The inability to sell this building and similar ones has been largely due to bureaucratic obstacles and political gridlock in Washington, which have delayed progress for years. However, we are now making significant strides to overcome these challenges and plan to dispose of these properties in the coming months. It is imperative that we enhance our efforts. We must pursue every dollar diligently. Our goal is to ensure that the government serves you effectively. Therefore, starting today, I have tasked the vice president with spearheading a renewed initiative to identify and eliminate misallocated tax dollars across all government agencies and departments. We are launching this initiative as a campaign to cut waste, and I am confident that Joe is the right person to lead it, as he is not one to be trifled with.
Biden: “From this moment forward, the government will operate under a new standard. The American public deserves transparency. While much of this will rely on advanced techniques, it also requires an unwavering commitment to prioritize this issue; a focus that cannot be delegated. We are holding ourselves accountable and are fully dedicated to improving government efficiency. Our efforts will not only target fraud and waste but will also foster a new culture that every administration, both now and in the future, will actively pursue. We are committed to providing you with the government you expect and deserve.”
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