‘Thank You Very Much’: Trump Thanks Musk For DOGE Cuts – wna24
Donald Trump Thanks Musk and Doge for Efforts to Cut Wasteful Spending | Image:
AP
Washington: US President Donald Trump delivered his first joint address to Congress on Wednesday, reaffirming his commitment to “ending the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars.” During his speech, the President thanked DOGE and its Chief, Elon Musk, for their recent contributions to cost-cutting efforts.
Trump said, “And to that end, I have created the brand new Department of Government Efficiency – Doge, perhaps you’ve heard of it.” His mention of Musk and Doge sparked cheers in the house chamber. The President went on to praise Musk, who was in the audience, for his contributions to reducing taxpayer waste.
Musk, dressed in a suit with a blue tie, stood and waved to the crowd as Republicans cheered.
“He didn’t need this,” Trump remarked about Musk.
Trump further acknowledged that even Democrats secretly appreciated Musk’s efforts, despite their reluctance to admit it.
As Trump continued his speech, he listed examples of wasteful government spending that Musk and Doge had reportedly exposed.
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Trump Talks About an ‘Energy Emergency’ and Inflation
In his speech, President Trump highlighted the importance of reducing energy costs as part of his plan to fight inflation. He said, “A major focus of our fight to defeat inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy. That is why on my first day in office, I declared a national energy emergency.”
Trump’s comments follow his efforts to undo his predecessor’s climate change and renewable energy policies, pushing for faster development of fossil fuels.
However, many experts disagree with Trump’s use of the term “energy emergency,” pointing out that the U.S. is not facing an energy crisis. Instead, scientists have called attention to the global climate emergency.
Gary Dirks, a senior director at Arizona State University’s Global Futures Laboratory, said, “The reality is that the United States is well-supplied with energy in all of its forms.”
Trump also mentioned his decision to open up parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling. However, just making more areas available for drilling doesn’t guarantee an increase in oil and gas production.
In addition to his remarks on energy, Trump discussed inflation, blaming the previous administration for economic issues. He said, “We inherited from the last administration an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare. Their policies drove up energy prices, pushed up grocery costs, and made life harder for millions of Americans. We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years, maybe even in the history of our country.”
While Trump continues to blame former President Joe Biden for inflation, surveys show that many Americans are also concerned about how Trump’s tariffs have impacted prices.