Bernie Sanders ‘Teaming Up’ with Elon Musk to Fight the Pentagon?

In a political twist that few saw coming, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has publicly endorsed Elon Musk’s controversial proposal to overhaul defense spending. The unexpected alliance between the democratic socialist and the MAGA-aligned billionaire stunned Washington insiders and sent ripples across both progressive and conservative circles.

“Elon Musk is right,” Sanders tweeted on Sunday, a rare acknowledgment of agreement with the Tesla and SpaceX mogul. “Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change.”

This surprising nod of approval comes as Musk, alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, leads a new federal commission aimed at cutting government spending. Dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—an ironic nod to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin—the commission was created by President-elect Donald Trump to identify areas of “bloated” federal expenditures.

Their first target? The Pentagon.

Pentagon’s Bloated Budget

The Department of Defense (DoD) is the largest discretionary spending category in the federal budget. For fiscal year 2024, it is set at a staggering $841 billion, representing approximately 12.5% of total federal spending. Yet, despite this vast financial footprint, the Pentagon has repeatedly faced accusations of inefficiency and financial mismanagement.

Most notably, the DoD recently failed its seventh consecutive audit. With $4.1 trillion in assets and $4.3 trillion in liabilities, the department admitted it could only fully account for half of its holdings. This revelation has amplified calls for increased oversight.

“Many federal contracts have gone unexamined for years,” Musk and Ramaswamy warned in a joint op-ed for The Wall Street Journal. “Large-scale audits during a temporary suspension of payments could yield significant savings.”

Profits Over Patriotism?

The issue extends beyond accounting failures. A significant portion of defense spending flows into the coffers of private contractors. In 2023, a whopping 71%—or $431.4 billion—of the Pentagon’s budget went to private firms.

Leading the pack was Lockheed Martin, raking in $61.4 billion in government contracts. RTX (formerly Raytheon) followed with $24.1 billion, while General Dynamics secured $22.9 billion.

Critics argue that these companies function more like taxpayer-funded monopolies than competitive businesses. Lockheed Martin, for instance, derived 74.2% of its sales from the U.S. government in the last quarter. By contrast, U.S. commercial sales accounted for a paltry 1% of its total revenue.

The shrinking pool of contractors, driven by industry consolidation, has also fueled concerns. Fewer players mean less competition—and higher profits for those who dominate the market.

A Revolving Door of Influence

Political influence further complicates the issue. A report by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) highlighted the pervasive “revolving door” between the Pentagon and the defense industry.

“To keep the money flowing, defense contractors frequently hire former Pentagon and other government officials to help them win contracts from their former colleagues,” the report states.

Hundreds of former government employees now lobby on behalf of defense firms, leveraging insider knowledge and relationships to secure lucrative deals.

A Bipartisan Dilemma

Despite bipartisan acknowledgment of the problem, efforts to curb defense spending have historically faced resistance. Defense budgets continue to grow, even as concerns about waste and corruption mount.

In October, Ramaswamy questioned the reflexive increases in military funding. “We can no longer afford to throw money at the Pentagon without accountability,” he said at a recent press briefing. “It’s time to prioritize efficiency over unchecked expansion.”

Yet, many lawmakers remain hesitant to challenge the status quo, fearing the political repercussions of appearing “weak” on national security.

The Road Ahead

For Sanders, aligning with Musk—a billionaire frequently criticized for his own controversial dealings—may seem like an ideological leap. But the Vermont senator appears undeterred.

“Our country spends more on defense than the next ten nations combined,” Sanders reminded followers in his tweet. “This isn’t about left or right. It’s about common sense and fiscal responsibility.”

Whether the DOGE commission can successfully navigate the complex web of defense contracts and political interests remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Washington is bracing for a battle over the Pentagon’s purse strings—and the unlikely alliance of Bernie Sanders and Elon Musk is leading the charge.

As Ramaswamy put it, “This isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about reimagining how America defends itself in the 21st century.”