Musk, with Trump at White House, says US will go 'bankrupt' without budget cuts

Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to lead federal cost-cutting efforts, said on Tuesday that the US would go "bankrupt" without budget cuts.

- Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON:

Musk leads the efforts under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and was speaking at the White House with Trump, who has in recent weeks issued a flurry of orders aimed at slashing federal spending.

In particular, Musk pointed to the country's budget deficit, which topped $1.8 trillion in the last fiscal year, and took aim at high interest payments on the public debt.

"It's not optional" for Washington to reduce federal expenses, he told reporters. "It's essential." The remarks, however, came as the Trump administration finds itself on a collision course with the US courts, as federal judges questioned the legality of White House cost-cutting measures.