Tech mogul Elon Musk made headlines once again after claiming that the U.S. government could save a staggering $150 billion in waste and fraud alone by fiscal year 2026 — and he’s not holding back on where he thinks the problem lies.
In a recent statement, Musk pointed to absurd examples of government inefficiency, including unemployment benefits being sent to people who “haven’t even been born yet.”
“They ask me, ‘How do you find waste in government?’” Musk said.
“I’m like, just go in any direction. That’s how you find it. It’s very common. As the military would say, target-rich environment.”
The remark highlights Musk’s growing focus on government accountability and spending reform — issues he’s been increasingly vocal about in recent years. The claim, while dramatic, reflects longstanding concerns about fraud in government aid programs, particularly during emergency funding waves.
Analysts note that unemployment fraud surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with billions in taxpayer money lost to scams. Musk’s comments reignite the debate over how federal agencies track and disburse funds, and whether current systems are ripe for abuse.
While Musk did not cite a specific audit or report to back the $150 billion figure, his track record of shaking up slow-moving industries — from space to electric vehicles — gives weight to his broader message: that government waste is everywhere, and someone needs to take it seriously.
