An article titled “People Are Paying for Wasteful Government Spending” was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Performance under President-elect Donald Trump on November 23. The article, authored by David Deutch, a senior policy analyst at the Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, highlights concerns over government expenditures under the Biden administration. “The Biden administration has spent significant amounts of money on left-leaning programs through grants. Here are some examples of these grant programs approved since December 2022,” the article states. One highlighted program is a $45 million scholarship initiative for students in Myanmar that emphasizes diversity and inclusion. This program is part of a global effort to promote these values but is not mirrored with similar initiatives within the United States. Myanmar, the article notes, faces systemic issues like a flawed justice system and high corruption levels. Deutch critiques the scholarship program, saying, “We face serious problems, including low homeownership and high poverty rates due to government intervention in the economy. Just giving out $45 million in scholarships will not solve these problems.” Another example is a $3 million grant to support a women-led climate change movement in Brazil. The funding, administered by a Dutch-based organization, aims to promote environmental activism in Brazil—despite the lack of similar initiatives within the United States. Deutch argues this prioritization reflects a focus on left-wing ideology over addressing pressing issues in South America’s largest country. The article also addresses the broader economic context, noting, “According to the latest inflation data, prices are rising at an annual rate of 3.5 percent, higher than pre-pandemic levels. This means people are struggling to regain their financial footing since 2021. It’s not surprising, given the U.S. government’s massive spending.” In 2023, the U.S. government spent $6.1 trillion (approximately $47,000 per household), resulting in a $1.7 trillion deficit. Deutch warns that the Biden administration’s policies are exacerbating the problem, arguing, “The economy needs to run a smaller deficit, but the Biden administration is determined to worsen the situation.” The article calls for a shift in priorities. “These concerns should be addressed domestically. Yet, even with a national debt of $34.6 trillion, the government continues its involvement in programs like these. A bloated government cannot avoid wasteful spending. The Biden administration has only made the problem worse by approving such projects,” Deutch writes. As Congress prepares the 2025 budget, Deutch urges lawmakers to scrutinize agencies and programs providing these subsidies, stating, “If they want to provide relief to taxpayers, this is essential. Unfortunately, the Biden administration is unlikely to take these steps.”