Musk says he found ‘magic money computers’ printing money ‘out of thin air’
In a recent conversation on Senator Ted Cruz’s podcast, Elon Musk made a striking claim about the federal government’s financial mechanisms, referring to the existence of at least 14 “magic money computers” embedded within various federal departments. According to Musk, these computers, found in the Department of Treasury, Defense, and Health and Human Services, possess the capability to generate funds seemingly out of thin air.
During this March 17 episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Musk suggested that the conventional understanding of federal funding processes is misguided. He implied that while there is an expectation that government computers are well coordinated and maintain accurate financial records, the reality is far more chaotic. "You may think that the government computers all talk to each other… and that the numbers you’re presented as a senator are the real numbers,” he noted. However, Musk contends that discrepancies are common, estimating that these computers may present figures that are off by 5% to 10%.
Musk’s characterization of these computers as "magic money computers" reflects his perspective on how they can issue payments without any tangible backing. His assertion has fueled discussions about the systemic inefficiencies within government agencies. Rusty Jameson Lopp, chief security officer at Bitcoin custody provider Casa, chimed in via comments during the podcast, asserting that "Bitcoin fixes this." This statement aligns with a broader narrative within the cryptocurrency community that emphasizes Bitcoin’s capped supply as a defense against inflation and the arbitrary devaluation of fiat currencies.
Furthermore, Musk pointed out troubling patterns he observed while scrutinizing government financial operations. According to him, many payments from the Treasury lacked payment codes or explanations, raising questions about mismanaged contracts and their resultant payouts. In some cases, it appears that contracts which should have been terminated continued to generate funding, leading to the potential for serious financial mismanagement.
In light of these revelations, Musk emphasized that approximately 80% of the identified waste stemmed from incompetence rather than any malicious intent. He raised concerns about systemic inefficiencies within federal departments, claiming they often possess more software subscriptions and credit card accounts than personnel, with reports indicating a ratio as disconcerting as two-to-one.
Moreover, Musk’s recent endeavors surrounding DOGE (Dogecoin) have attracted attention for uncovering these financial discrepancies, but they have also not come without consequences. Reports indicate vandalism at Tesla facilities across the United States, linked to a protest movement opposing various cost-cutting measures associated with Musk’s DOGE initiatives.
In summary, while Musk’s claims have sparked significant dialogue about the potential for governmental financial mismanagement and inefficiencies, they also depict a contentious intersection of politics, technology, and the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. With this discourse ongoing, observers are left to consider the implications of Musk’s assertions and the future of fiscal accountability within the U.S. government.
