Elon Musk Uncovers 14 "Magic Money Computers" in Federal Departments

Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has made a startling revelation about the existence of 14 "magic money computers" within various federal departments. These computers, according to Musk, have the capability to issue payments without proper oversight, effectively creating money out of thin air. This revelation was made during an appearance on Senator Ted Cruz’s podcast "Verdict" on March 17.

Musk, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead government cost-cutting efforts, identified these computers in several key federal departments, including the Treasury, Defense, Health and Human Services, and State. He explained that these systems, while not entirely inaccurate in reporting government expenditures, can be off by significant margins, sometimes by 5% or 10%.

The DOGE team has been conducting a comprehensive audit of federal government spending to identify and eliminate wasteful expenditures. This audit has uncovered several concerning findings, including instances where government departments have more media and software subscriptions, and credit cards than employees. Musk believes that about 80% of these cases are due to waste and incompetence rather than malicious intent.

One of the most alarming discoveries was the presence of payments from the Treasury with no payment code and no explanation. Musk questioned whether these situations represent waste or fraud. The DOGE has already canceled 239 "wasteful" contracts within government agencies, estimated to be worth up to $1.7 billion. Among the canceled programs were $699,000 for studying "cannabis use" among "sexual minority gender diverse individuals" and $740,000 for examining "social networks" among specific demographic groups in New Jersey.

Musk described the computers as "maybe the biggest scam of all time" in a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. His statement has sparked discussions about government financial accountability. The discovery of these "magic money computers" raises questions about financial controls within the federal government and highlights potential areas for reform in how government funds are tracked and disbursed.

In response to Musk’s claims, Bitcoin advocate Jameson Lopp, chief security officer at a Bitcoin custody company, commented that "Bitcoin fixes this." Cryptocurrency supporters have long argued that Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million coins serves as a hedge against currency devaluation. However, Musk’s work with DOGE has not come without controversy. Some of Musk’s other business ventures have reportedly suffered due to his government role, with Tesla facilities around the United States being vandalized as part of a broader "Take down Tesla" movement. These actions protest DOGE’s cost-cutting measures.

Despite these challenges, Musk continues to lead the audit efforts. The DOGE initiative represents one of the most sweeping attempts to reduce federal spending in recent years. The discovery of these "magic money computers" underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in government financial management. It also highlights the potential for technology to both create and solve complex financial issues within the federal government.