As the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aggressively push for spending cuts across education, labor programs, and public services, a new report has identified $60 billion in waste and fraud at the Pentagon—yet neither Trump nor Musk have proposed serious cuts to the Department of Defense.
Instead of eliminating overpriced and underperforming military programs, the administration has opted to redirect Pentagon funds toward missile defense, border militarization, and expanding U.S. global military dominance. Meanwhile, Musk has publicly attacked Social Security, falsely labeling it a “Ponzi scheme” in an attempt to justify cuts to the nation’s most effective anti-poverty program.
The prioritization of military expansion over social investments reveals a deeply broken budget strategy, one that favors defense contractors and billionaires while leaving working Americans vulnerable.
A report released by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, the Stimson Center, and Taxpayers for Common Sense found that the Pentagon could eliminate at least $60 billion in wasteful spending annually without sacrificing national security.
The Department of Defense, which has failed seven consecutive audits, is on track to reach a record $1 trillion annual budget, even as watchdogs highlight systematic fraud, overpriced weapons systems, and billions wasted on unnecessary programs.
The report identifies several key areas of excessive spending that could be eliminated:
• The F-35 fighter jet program. The Pentagon’s most expensive weapons system, the F-35 has been plagued by cost overruns and performance failures. Cutting it could save $12 billion per year.
• Aircraft carriers. Outdated and vulnerable in modern warfare, eliminating new aircraft carrier programs would save $2.3 billion annually.
• The ICBM replacement program. Scrapping the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile replacement program could save $310 billion total.
• Long-range missile defense. Eliminating ineffective missile defense programs would save $9.3 billion per year.
Despite these clear opportunities for massive savings, Musk and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have focused on eliminating climate initiatives at the Pentagon while redirecting defense funds toward border militarization and missile defense expansion.
Critics have slammed this approach, arguing that it ignores the real sources of waste and inefficiency.
“Unlike cuts to education, medical research, environmental protection, and food assistance programs, the administration is proposing that any Pentagon ‘savings’ be redirected to missile defense systems, border militarization, and other controversial and destructive military projects,” wrote Mike Merryman-Lotze of the American Friends Service Committee.
“This is an enormous missed opportunity. We don’t need a rearranging of the deck chairs on the Pentagon’s titanic budget. We need fundamental change.”
Even beyond wasteful weapons programs, the Pentagon’s unchecked spending on defense contractors has led to outrageous price gouging. Companies have overcharged the government by as much as 3,800 percent for spare parts, and excess military bases around the world waste up to $5 billion per year.
“F-35 combat aircraft and the Sentinel ICBM are overpriced, underperforming, and out of step with current missions,” said Gabe Murphy of Taxpayers for Common Sense. “Defunding such weapons programs would allow us to invest more in real priorities.”
Despite these glaring inefficiencies, the administration remains committed to expanding military spending while slashing domestic programs.
Even as Musk and Trump protect billions in unnecessary military spending, they are targeting Social Security, falsely claiming it is unsustainable.
During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk falsely claimed:
“Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”
“If you look at the future obligations of Social Security, it far exceeds the tax revenue.”
These widely debunked claims sparked immediate backlash from progressive lawmakers and advocates.
Despite Musk’s claims, Social Security is 90 percent funded for the next 25 years and has never missed a payment in 89 years. The program is funded entirely through payroll taxes, making it fundamentally different from a Ponzi scheme.
“That’s a hell of a Ponzi scheme when for the last 80 years, Social Security has paid out every nickel owed to every eligible American,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“Quite a Ponzi scheme.”
Progressive lawmakers condemn Musk’s disinformation
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out Musk’s hypocrisy, highlighting that he has profited immensely from government contracts and tax breaks.
“This guy is a leech on the public. No matter how many billions he gets in tax cuts and government contracts, it will never be enough for him.”
“Now he’s going after the elderly, the disabled, and orphaned children so he can pocket it in tax cuts for himself. It’s disgusting.”
Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also condemned Musk’s comments.
“A guy who makes $8 million a day off the government thinks seniors getting $65 a day they worked their whole lives to earn is a ‘Ponzi scheme.’”
“Protect Social Security. Fire Elon Musk.”
Musk’s public attack on Social Security comes as the Trump administration pushes for deep cuts to the already understaffed Social Security Administration. These cuts would:
• Reduce staffing levels, leading to benefit delays
• Increase barriers for retirees, disabled Americans, and survivors seeking assistance
• Lay the groundwork for privatization, funneling Social Security funds to Wall Street
The bigger picture: who benefits from these cuts?
While Pentagon waste remains untouched, Social Security, public education, and healthcare face relentless attacks. The beneficiaries of this budget strategy are clear:
• Defense contractors continue to receive billions in no-bid military contracts.
• Billionaires like Musk enjoy massive tax cuts while attacking essential programs for working families.
• Wealthy corporate interests push for Social Security privatization, which would divert public retirement savings into Wall Street investments.
William Hartung, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute, emphasized the misguided focus of Trump and Musk’s budget priorities.
“Some of our biggest existential threats are not military in nature—such as climate change and pandemics.”
“We need a better balance between military spending and investments in diplomacy, development, humanitarian aid, global public health, and environmental protection.”
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