Trump Vows Sweeping Government Reform, Praises Elon Musk’s Role in Anti-Waste Efforts

Washington, D.C. — In a wide-ranging and impassioned address, President Donald Trump pledged to go “all in” on reforming the U.S. government’s outdated systems, slashing wasteful spending, and reinstating American strength and independence. Speaking alongside entrepreneur Elon Musk, Trump emphasized their joint efforts in modernizing federal operations and cutting down on inefficiencies that have plagued Washington for decades.

The President also hinted at a renewed focus on American energy independence, including a strong push for nuclear energy — a nod to one of his earlier campaign promises. “Our nation would be imperiled without the reforms and tariffs we’ve fought for,” Trump said, reflecting on his administration’s economic policies and regulatory battles.

Musk Praised for ‘Colossal Change’ in Federal Efficiency

President Donald Trump reserved particular praise for Elon Musk, describing the billionaire tech CEO as a “special government employee” who had helped initiate one of the most sweeping reforms in U.S. governmental history. Trump lauded Musk’s leadership in identifying fraud, waste, and inefficiencies within federal agencies, noting that many issues uncovered by Musk’s team were “unbelievably stupid and unbelievably bad.”

“Elon has delivered a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington,” Trump declared. “He’s installed geniuses with an engineering mindset — people who understand how to work with computers better than anyone.”

Musk’s involvement, Trump explained, included assembling a team that was instrumental in modernizing government IT systems, detecting fraud, and streamlining bureaucratic red tape. According to Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a new initiative he played a major role in — has already identified over $160 billion in potential savings for the FY25 to FY26 cycle.

Musk also emphasized that while many of the current efforts have revealed waste, the work is far from over. With more auditing, examination of contracts, and use of cutting-edge technology, he expects the total savings to exceed $1 trillion over time. “It’s really about asking simple questions: What is this money for? Is it being used effectively? Often the answer is no,” Musk noted.

Billions in ‘Absurd’ Government Spending Revealed

Trump did not shy away from listing what he described as absurd government expenditures uncovered by Musk and his team. These included:

$101 million in DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) contracts at the Department of Education.
$59 million spent on hotel rooms for undocumented immigrants in New York City.
$45 million for DEI scholarships in Burma.
$42 million for behavioral programs in Uganda.
$20 million for “Arab Sesame Street” in the Middle East.
$8 million for gender-related experiments on mice.

“I could sit here all day reading things like this,” Trump said. “But we have other things to do. We are totally committed to making the DOGE cuts permanent and stopping even more waste in the months to come.”

Trump emphasized that these discoveries represent just the beginning. As more contracts come under scrutiny, more examples of excessive and unnecessary spending are expected to come to light. “Many of these contracts were set up under previous administrations with zero oversight,” he claimed.

Tariffs, Infrastructure & Tech Modernization

Reaffirming his belief in tariffs, Trump described the policy as “vital” to national strength and a major factor in reducing the trade deficit. He expressed optimism over upcoming infrastructure developments, including a complete overhaul of the air traffic control system, which he described as “48 years old and failing.”

Trump criticized the previous administration for mishandling technological upgrades, calling their efforts “billions wasted,” and expressed confidence that his new approach would create systems built to last for at least 30 years. “What we inherited was a digital dinosaur,” Trump said. “Now we’re building a government that runs like one of Elon’s factories — fast, efficient, and smarter.”

A ‘Trillion Dollar’ Goal & Ongoing Support for Reform

Musk echoed the ambition for major change, forecasting a trillion dollars in potential waste reduction and savings. “We’ve found situations where millions of software licenses were being paid for — and used by no one,” Musk said. He acknowledged that progress has been challenging but emphasized the cultural shift within the federal government brought about by the DOGE initiative.

“What we’re doing is a necessary thing,” Musk stated. “And it will have a good effect in the future.”

Trump said most of Musk’s team would remain in place, and Musk himself would continue to advise the administration in an informal capacity. “It’s his baby,” Trump said. “He’s going to be around, helping us reshape the future of government.”

Foreign Policy and Biden Criticism

Pivoting to international affairs, Trump asserted that under his leadership, the U.S. had been “the hottest country in the world,” citing economic growth, military strength, and foreign respect. He criticized the Biden administration for “embarrassments” such as the Afghanistan withdrawal and renewed conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.

On Iran, Trump suggested a nuclear deal may be close, though he remained firm: “They cannot have a nuclear weapon. It’s that simple.”

Trump also criticized President Biden’s use of auto-pens to sign executive orders, suggesting it undermined presidential authority. “You’re not president if you’re not the one signing those documents,” he said. “I read about things Biden signed, and I thought, ‘Who the hell signed that?’”

Cultural Issues & 2024 Election Rhetoric

Responding to questions about his re-election campaign and criticism of Democratic policies, Trump didn’t hold back. He mocked the Democratic Party for spending $20 million to “learn how to talk to American men,” saying, “You shouldn’t need consultants to know what America needs.”

He cited issues like transgender athletes in women’s sports and open borders as “97-3 issues” — far outside the mainstream — and warned Democrats were out of touch with voters. “These are not 80-20 issues. These are issues where 90% of Americans disagree with what they’re doing,” he claimed.

Trump pointed out that his campaign had outperformed expectations while spending significantly less. “We spent half of what they spent, and we won every battleground state,” he said, hinting at strong prospects for 2024.

A Final Word of Thanks

Concluding his speech, Trump again praised Musk for enduring media attacks and political backlash. “Elon’s service to America has been without comparison,” Trump said. “He willingly accepted the slander and lies because he loves this country.”

He ended with a symbolic gesture, awarding Musk a “very special token” of recognition on behalf of the country.

“This isn’t the end of DOGE. It’s just the beginning,” Musk said, signaling his continued involvement in government efficiency efforts.

As both Trump and Musk look ahead to further reforms, the message is clear: they aim to redefine how government works — through accountability, efficiency, and innovation — and they’re not done yet.

Analysis: Trump’s address signaled not only a continuing influence in conservative politics but also a renewed effort to brand his administration as the antidote to Washington inefficiency. Whether this “government modernization” campaign will win over broader support remains to be seen, but the trillion-dollar savings goal and Elon Musk’s involvement mark a significant chapter in post-presidency Trump politics.