Focus on the BIG picture.
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026

0:00
0:00

Elon Musk Criticizes US Government Payment Systems, Asserts $100 Billion in Annual Fraud.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX expresses worries about the shortcomings in federal payment systems, advocating for reforms and better auditing practices.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, voiced serious concerns about the inefficiencies he sees in the U.S. government's payment systems, claiming potential fraud exceeding $100 billion each year.

Musk utilized X (formerly Twitter) to announce a collaboration between the Treasury Department and his own Department of Government Efficiency, which seeks to implement stricter reporting requirements for all government payouts.

He pointed out that among the new stipulations, all payments must include a payment categorization code, which is essential for effective financial audits.

Musk remarked that this code is frequently left out, creating difficulties in conducting proper audits.

He stressed the importance of requiring a brief justification for payments, indicating that many entries are submitted without any explanation.

He stated, "We are not yet applying ANY judgment to this rationale, but simply requiring that SOME attempt be made to explain the payment more than NOTHING!"

In his statements, Musk also pushed for enhancements to the DO-NOT-PAY list, a resource used to pinpoint entities engaged in fraudulent activities.

He advocated that this list be refreshed weekly, if not daily, to ensure that funds do not end up in the hands of fraudsters.

Musk pointed out that it currently takes a long time—up to a year—for an entity to be included on the DO-NOT-PAY list, signaling the need for a faster process to improve the integrity of federal payments.

Highlighting specific worries about entitlement payments, Musk claimed that more than $100 billion each year is allocated to individuals lacking a Social Security Number or a temporary identification, which he deemed "extremely suspicious."

Musk alleged that conversations with Treasury officials indicated that approximately half of this amount could clearly be attributed to fraud, equating to a potential loss of $50 billion annually.

He described the scenario as "utterly insane" and urged immediate measures to address what he sees as rampant fraud in the payment systems, asserting that taxpayer funds must be safeguarded.

The dialogue regarding government payment systems and oversight has taken place independently of his cryptocurrency endeavors, as Musk clarified that these changes are being carried out by long-serving government professionals rather than individuals associated with his businesses.

Through his social media account, Musk shared a chart titled "Federal Government: Waste, Fraud, Abuse," further emphasizing his worries about the perceived extent of fraud in government spending.

To date, the Treasury Department has not publicly addressed Musk's allegations or the reforms he proposed.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Declares U.S. Military Independence, Criticises NATO and Australia Over Iran Conflict
Trump Says US Asked China to Delay Beijing Summit With Xi by ‘a Month or So’
Trump and Vice President Vance Hold Executive Order Signing Ceremony at the White House
Debate Emerges Over Potential Architectural Changes to the White House Exterior
President Trump Meets Kennedy Center Board at White House Lunch
White House Signals Possible Shift in Timing for Trump–Xi Talks
White House Signals Possible Shift in Timing for Trump–Xi Talks
Trump Administration Rule Ends License Renewals for Many Immigrant Truck Drivers
US Intelligence Assessment Says Iran’s Leadership Is Consolidating Power Despite Military Pressure
Trump Reveals White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Diagnosed With Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Growing Doubts Among Young Americans Who Once Backed Donald Trump
Washington State Suspect Arrested Over Super Bowl Weekend Shooting That Injured Six in San Jose
Washington State Suspect Arrested Over Super Bowl Weekend Shooting That Injured Six in San Jose
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Trump Intensifies Push for European Support to Secure Strait of Hormuz
Japan and Australia Decline U.S. Call for Naval Escorts in Strait of Hormuz
Pentagon Signs $96 Million Rare Earths Supply Deal With Australia’s Lynas
Pentagon Signs $96 Million Rare Earths Supply Deal With Australia’s Lynas
Thailand Orders Return of 284 Tonnes of Illegal Electronic Waste to the United States
Trump Returns to the White House After Weekend at Mar-a-Lago, Resuming Full Presidential Schedule
White House Signals Iran Conflict Likely to Continue for Several More Weeks
Trump Appointee Floats Proposal to Replace White House Entrance Columns with More Ornate Classical Design
White House Seeks International Coalition to Secure Gulf Shipping and Stabilize Global Energy Markets
White House Seeks International Coalition to Secure Gulf Shipping and Stabilize Global Energy Markets
Immigration Data Becomes Harder to Access as Trump Administration Intensifies Deportation Campaign
Olympia Becomes First City in Washington to Enact Legal Protections for Polyamorous Relationships
Ed Davey Urges Britain to Build Fully Independent Nuclear Missile Capability
US Treasury Links British Polo Patrons to Alleged Venezuelan Oil Proceeds Laundering Scheme
Starmer and Trump Discuss Urgent Need to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Anticipates Historic UFC Fight Night on White House Lawn Featuring Elite Fighters
White House’s Social Media War Messaging Draws Scrutiny as Iran Conflict Intensifies
White House Softens Tone on Deportations After Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown
Latin America Faces Renewed U.S. Push for Militarized Anti-Cartel Campaign
Richard Grenell Concludes Dramatic Tenure Overhauling the Kennedy Center Under Trump’s Cultural Agenda
Temporary U.S. Waiver on Russian Oil Sanctions Sparks Debate Over Impact on Ukraine War
Flights Delayed at Washington and Baltimore Airports After Chemical Odor at Air Traffic Control Center
Mild Weekend Weather Expected Before Strong Storm System Threatens Mid-Atlantic on Monday
Inside the Transformation of The Washington Post Under Jeff Bezos
Inside the Transformation of The Washington Post Under Jeff Bezos
Trump Announces U.S. Precision Strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, Center of Tehran’s Oil Economy
Trump Announces U.S. Precision Strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, Center of Tehran’s Oil Economy
Washington’s Housing Crackdown on Investors Raises Fears of Market Shock
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Australia Warned of Growing Cyber Threat as Iran-Linked Hackers Expand Attacks on US Allies
Rare March Snow Dusts Western Washington Lowlands After Sudden Cold Snap
Trump Signs Order Targeting Fraudulent ‘Made in America’ Labels to Protect U.S. Manufacturing
Trump Signs Order Targeting Fraudulent ‘Made in America’ Labels to Protect U.S. Manufacturing
×