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Fact-checking Trump and Musk's claims that they are cutting government 'fraud and abuse'

The article from PBS NewsHour discusses the claims made by former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk regarding their efforts to reduce government fraud and abuse. Trump, during his presidency, often boasted about cutting down on waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending, particularly through executive orders aimed at reducing improper payments. However, fact-checkers and analyses have shown mixed results; while some initiatives did lead to savings, the overall impact was less significant than claimed, with improper payments still amounting to billions annually. Similarly, Elon Musk has made statements about his companies, like SpaceX and Tesla, contributing to government efficiency by reducing costs in space travel and electric vehicle adoption, respectively. Critics argue that while these companies have indeed innovated, the direct impact on reducing government fraud or abuse is not straightforward, as government contracts and subsidies to these companies also come under scrutiny for potential mismanagement or favoritism. The article highlights the complexity of quantifying the effectiveness of these efforts, pointing out that while both Trump and Musk have initiated changes, the actual reduction in fraud and abuse remains a nuanced and ongoing challenge.

Read the Full PBS Article at:
[ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trump-and-musks-claims-that-they-are-cutting-government-fraud-and-abuse ]