Elon Musk responded to critics of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative last week by sharing a resurfaced clip of former President Barack Obama announcing a similar effort over a decade ago.
Posting on X, Musk shared a 2011 video of Obama introducing the “Campaign to Cut Waste,” an initiative aimed at reducing unnecessary government spending. Musk captioned the clip, saying, “Sounds exactly like DOGE.”
In the video, Obama emphasized the importance of cutting wasteful programs, citing examples such as funding for an inactive website dedicated to a folk music group, the “Fiddlin’ Foresters.” He also joked that then–Vice President Joe Biden would be leading the initiative, saying, “Nobody messes with Joe.”
“No amount of waste is acceptable, especially when it’s your money,” Obama said in the clip. “Just as families are living within their means, government should too.”
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has drawn both praise and criticism for its approach, which has included significant budget cuts and the restructuring of various agencies. By sharing the Obama clip, Musk appeared to highlight that cost-cutting efforts in government have been supported across different administrations.
“Everyone knows that getting rid of the deficit will require some tough decisions, and that includes cutting back on billions of dollars in programs that a lot of people care about,” Obama stated in the resurfaced video.
Some social media users pointed out similarities between Obama’s initiative and Musk’s current efforts, while others debated the differences in their approaches. Critics argued that Obama’s campaign focused on eliminating specific inefficiencies, while DOGE has taken broader actions that impact multiple departments and employees.
The Obama clip originally aired during his first term as president, ahead of the 2012 election. While some praised the initiative at the time, others noted that reducing government spending is often a complex process with varying results.
Podcaster Joe Rogan reacted to Musk’s post, commenting that “it took 14 years for these discussions to turn into action.”
In his announcement, Obama had stated that spending reductions were necessary regardless of the deficit. He also highlighted additional targets for cuts, such as thousands of unused government buildings across the country.
Biden, featured in the same video, emphasized the administration’s commitment to accountability and efficiency. “We’re holding ourselves accountable, and we’re deeply committed to making government function better,” he said.
Musk’s DOGE initiative has sparked ongoing debate, with some viewing it as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility, while others express concerns over its broader impact. As discussions continue, the resurfaced Obama clip has reignited conversations about the long-standing challenge of balancing efficiency and government spending.
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