In a 2011 clip, former US President Barack Obama can be heard talking about eliminating unnecessary government expenditures.
Elon Musk has reignited discussions on government spending by sharing an old video of former US President Barack Obama.
In the clip, which is from 2011, Mr Obama can be heard speaking about eliminating unnecessary expenditures.
Mr Musk’s post comes amid growing criticism of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative launched under US President Donald Trump’s administration.
As DOGE faces backlash over layoffs and budget reductions, Mr Musk highlighted Barack Obama’s remarks, implying that Democrats once endorsed similar measures.
It seems that Mr Musk is drawing a parallel between DOGE’s efforts and the former president’s approach to fiscal responsibility.
The video resurfaced online after a user shared it on X (formerly Twitter). Without wasting much time, Mr Musk retweeted it on his page and wrote, “[Barack] Obama sounds exactly like DOGE!!”
Barack Obama’s 2011 ‘Campaign To Cut Waste’
The video shows then-president Barack Obama launching the ‘Campaign To Cut Waste’ in 2011, a federal initiative to reduce unnecessary government spending and tackle the deficit.
In the speech, Mr Obama highlighted the necessity of difficult budgetary decisions, while stressing that eliminating pointless waste and spending should be a common-sense approach, irrespective of deficit concerns.
The former president added that while some budget cuts may be small, eliminating wasteful spending is essential, especially when taxpayer money is at stake. He went on to highlight specific examples of inefficient government spending, such as taxpayer-funded websites for obscure projects and unused government-owned buildings.
Mr Obama even mentioned a taxpayer-funded website for a folk music group of forest rangers as an example of spending that should be eliminated.
The Democrat president even introduced Joe Biden, who was the vice president then, as the head of the initiative to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending across all agencies and departments, saying that “nobody messes with Joe.”
Understanding DOGE
Created by an executive order on January 20, DOGE is a newly established advisory group focused on minimising waste within the federal government.
Since its launch, the department has aggressively pursued significant job cuts. Led by Elon Musk, DOGE has taken bold steps to curb excess spending, including the recent deactivation of over 2,00,000 federal government credit cards.
The department has come under scrutiny for mass layoffs and financial restrictions that have affected various government departments.
The cosmic landscape is marked by Mercury retrograde, moving from Aries to Pisces. This period encourages self-reflection and re-evaluation in many aspects of life. Here’s an overview of how each zodiac sign might experience good fortune this month:
Aries (March 21 – April 19): The retrograde begins in your sign, prompting self-reflection. Use this time to reassess personal goals and identity. While new ventures might face delays, revisiting past projects could prove beneficial.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Intuition is heightened. Pay attention to gut feelings, especially regarding friendships and social circles. Reconnecting with old acquaintances may bring unexpected opportunities.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20): Career and long-term goals are in focus. Reflect on your professional path and consider adjustments. Networking with former colleagues could open new doors.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Contemplate your career alignment and address any limiting beliefs. This is a time to ponder if your professional life aligns with your true aspirations.
Leo (July 23 – August 22): Revisit personal philosophies and heal trust issues. This period encourages you to reflect on your beliefs and address any underlying trust matters.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22): Reassess relationships and routines. Focus on refining daily habits and evaluating the dynamics in your partnerships.
Libra (September 23 – October 22): Address relationship dynamics. This is a period to reflect on your partnerships and seek balance in your interactions.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): Reevaluate routines and habits. Focus on transforming daily practices to enhance well-being and productivity.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): Reflect on home foundations. Consider how your domestic life supports your broader aspirations and make necessary adjustments.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): Focus on emotional well-being. Take time to nurture your inner self and address any emotional blockages.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): Evaluate communication clarity. Ensure that your messages are understood as intended and work on improving dialogue with others.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20): Reassess financial habits and personal growth. Focus on aligning your resources with your values and fostering personal development.
During this Mercury retrograde, all signs are advised to embrace introspection, avoid initiating major new projects, and focus on refining existing plans. This period is ideal for thoughtful reflection and making necessary adjustments to align with future goals.