Senator Bernie Sanders and Elon Musk agree on the need to cut Pentagon waste, marking an unexpected alliance, at least on this single issue.
Key Facts:
– Sanders and Musk advocate for reducing Pentagon spending due to waste and audit failures.
– Musk is set to co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President-elect Donald Trump.
– Sanders praised Musk’s stance despite previously criticizing his wealth and political influence.
– The Pentagon failed its seventh consecutive audit, losing track of billions of dollars.
– Only 13 senators, including Sanders and Vice President-elect JD Vance, voted against last year’s defense budget over waste concerns.
The Rest of The Story:
The unlikely alignment between Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, and tech billionaire Elon Musk centers on a shared criticism of the Pentagon’s spending habits.
Sanders has long opposed the Department of Defense’s budget, highlighting its repeated audit failures and instances of waste and fraud.
Musk, slated to co-lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President-elect Donald Trump, has echoed similar sentiments.
He recently criticized the continued investment in manned fighter jets like the F-35, writing on X, “Some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35. Manned fighter jets are outdated in the age of drones and only put pilots’ lives at risk.”
Sanders took to social media platform X to commend Musk’s stance, stating, “Elon Musk is right. The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions. Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change.”
This unexpected praise is notable given Sanders’ previous critiques of Musk’s wealth and political influence.
Despite their differences, both figures are calling for greater accountability and efficiency in defense spending, a topic that may gain bipartisan attention with the establishment of DOGE.
Elon Musk is right.
The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions.
Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud.
That must change.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 1, 2024
Commentary:
While Senator Bernie Sanders is known for his far-left socialist views, it’s refreshing to see him cross the aisle and find common ground with figures like Elon Musk.
His willingness to praise Musk’s stance on reducing Pentagon waste signifies a hopeful shift in the typically divided atmosphere of Washington, D.C.
In these times of partisan gridlock, such gestures of bipartisan agreement are both rare and commendable.
Perhaps this marks the beginning of a new era where at least some Democrats recognize that the country’s mood has shifted.
As Americans grow increasingly concerned about government overspending and inefficiency, Democrats may find it in their political interest to move toward the center.
Sanders’ agreement with Musk demonstrates that, despite deep ideological differences, common-sense solutions can transcend party lines for the greater good.
The Bottom Line:
The shared call by Senator Sanders and Elon Musk to cut Pentagon waste highlights an unusual bipartisan agreement that could signal a shift toward more collaborative efforts in Washington.
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As leaders heed the public’s demand for accountability and efficiency, such alliances may become crucial in enacting meaningful change.