In this episode of the More or Less podcast, the hosts dive into the practicality of Elon Musk's ambitious proposal to slash the US federal budget by $2 trillion. Experts weigh in, pointing out that such a drastic cut would be unfeasible without jeopardizing vital government services. While there are areas of wasteful spending—like the ongoing minting of pennies and the F-35 fighter program—the bulk of the budget is tied up in mandatory expenses such as Social Security, Medicare, and interest on the national debt. This makes significant cuts politically and practically challenging. To achieve a balanced budget, a more measured approach is necessary, involving tax reforms, spending adjustments, and a focus on long-term demographic changes.
