On social media, many viewers were stunned as Elon Musk shared a resurfaced video of Obama ‘announcing DOGE’ 14 years ago while discussing government spending cuts.
Elon Musk shared Obama’s 2011 speech on spending cuts
Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy by sharing an old video of former President Barack Obama on X platfom,
The clip appears to show Obama advocating for drastic spending cuts.
This is similar to the measures Musk is now implementing as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The video, originally recorded in 2011, features Obama discussing the need to eliminate “pointless waste and stupid spending.”
In the speech, he stresses that “no amount of waste is acceptable, not when it’s your money.”
Additionally, he also cites examples like unnecessary government websites and empty federal buildings costing taxpayers millions.
Podcaster Joe Rogan recently resurfaced the clip, seemingly to support Musk’s cost-cutting efforts.
However, the video has sparked debate over whether Musk’s policies are truly original or merely a continuation of Obama’s past initiatives.
Social media reaction to Musk’s resurfaced Obama video
Musk’s decision to share the Obama clip has led to mixed reactions on social media.
His supporters see it as proof that past leaders acknowledged the need for drastic cuts.
Critics, however, accuse Musk of hypocrisy and political opportunism.
Additionally, others questioned the outrage toward Musk while some took a more neutral stance.
One person said: The difference – one just spoke about it and someone is actually going about making it happen
A second wrote: There’s that “do” and those that “do not”.
While a third commented: The difference is… Joe lined his and Obama’s pockets… Elon is getting rid of it!.
Someone else said: Amazing how when a Republican tries to do it, Democrats automatically want to stop it.
Another added: Bizarre how Obama said the same thing, but now that Musk is doing it, people are mad. Double standards!”
Obama laid it all out in his speeches. Maybe people didn’t care back then, or maybe they just ignored it. Someone said.
Previously, Musk faced criticism over doge spending cuts
Musk has taken an aggressive approach to reducing government expenditures. His team at DOGE aims to cut $2 trillion in federal spending.
Departments like USAID have already been gutted, and thousands of government workers have been laid off.
Despite these efforts, recent Treasury data reveals government spending reached a record-breaking $603 billion in February 2025.
Additionally, DOGE has been accused of accounting errors, with billions in supposed savings vanishing from official reports.
Critics argue that while Musk claims to be eliminating waste, the actual financial impact remains questionable. Some also believe he is “weaponizing” Obama’s speech to justify extreme measures.
The controversy surrounding musk and the doge program
Musk’s role in the government remains highly debated. Although technically a “special government employee,” he is limited to working 130 days per year.
However, his influence in Washington continues to grow.
His restructuring of the U.S. Digital Service into the “United States DOGE Service” led to a mass employee walkout.
The agency, originally created under Obama to modernize government infrastructure, now operates under Musk’s leadership with a radically different approach.
While Musk and his allies, including Rogan, continue to defend his policies, opposition remains strong.