In this video, Patrick Bet-David dives into the shocking $35 trillion mystery buried in wasteful government spending—uncovered with a little help from DOGE and some serious detective work. Where did all that money go, and who’s responsible for the mess? Let’s follow the money trail and expose the truth behind the missing trillions!
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The U.S. government’s financial management has long been a subject of controversy, but recent revelations suggest an alarming level of mismanagement and waste. While many Americans focus on foreign aid as a source of excessive spending, it accounts for only 0.2% of the federal budget. The real issue lies in improper payments, unaccounted funds, and systemic inefficiencies within government agencies, particularly in defense, healthcare, and social programs.
The Nonprofit Money Funnel
A significant but often overlooked aspect of government expenditure is how much money flows into nonprofits. In 2020, U.S. nonprofits generated $22.68 trillion in total revenue, with government agencies funding 29% of that amount. This raises concerns about accountability, as government funds directed towards NGOs (non-governmental organizations) often lack oversight.
This trend has led to a massive boom in the number of NGOs, increasing from just 40 organizations in 1948 to over 3,382 by 2010. Since these nonprofits receive nearly a third of their revenue from government agencies, questions arise about whether some serve as financial loopholes to move taxpayer money around with little transparency.
The $2.7 Trillion in Improper Payments
Over the past 20 years, the federal government has made $2.7 trillion in improper payments, with a record $281 billion wasted in just one year. These payments come from several key programs:
- Medicare – $51 billion in improper payments
- Medicaid – $50.3 billion
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance – $43 billion
- Earned Income Tax Credit – $22 billion
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness – $19 billion
These staggering figures highlight the systemic lack of oversight in how taxpayer money is distributed.
The Pentagon’s $35 Trillion “Accounting Changes”
Perhaps the most shocking revelation involves the Pentagon, which racked up $35 trillion in accounting adjustments in a single year—more than the entire U.S. economy’s annual GDP. The Department of Defense (DoD) has never passed an audit since it began conducting them seven years ago.
One of the biggest issues is that the DoD frequently purchases equipment and supplies it does not need simply because it lacks an accurate inventory. This means taxpayers continue to foot the bill for military gear that may already be in stock but remains unaccounted for.
In an interview with Jon Stewart, a government official attempted to argue that failing audits did not necessarily indicate waste, fraud, or abuse. However, Stewart and many taxpayers see things differently: if the government cannot track its spending, then waste is inevitable.
Ridiculous Government Expenditures Over the Years
The U.S. government has been notorious for overpaying on contracts and equipment. Here are some of the most egregious cases:
- $4,000 soap dispensers for the Air Force
- $640 toilet seats in the 1980s
- $7,600 coffee makers for aircraft
- $1,280 paper clips
- $17 trillion F-35 fighter jet project, which remains plagued by software and parts shortages
These figures illustrate a government culture of waste that continues unchecked, with billions vanishing into questionable contracts and accounting loopholes.
The Social Security and Medicare Crisis
Social Security and Medicare, which together account for nearly 46% of the federal budget, are on track to become insolvent within the next two decades.
- The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by 2033, after which it will only be able to pay 77% of scheduled benefits unless new revenue is found.
- Medicare’s Health Insurance Trust Fund will run out by 2036, reducing its ability to cover medical expenses for seniors.
Despite these looming financial crises, political leaders remain hesitant to address them, fearing backlash from voters who rely on these benefits.
Education Spending: More Money, No Results
Education spending has skyrocketed over the years, but student performance has remained stagnant. A new analysis revealed that the Department of Education underestimated the cost of federal student loan programs by $311 billion from 1997 to 2021. Originally, the program was expected to generate revenue, but instead, it cost taxpayers over $200 billion.
Despite massive funding increases, reading, math, and science scores have remained flat since 1970, raising questions about whether government spending on education is yielding any real benefits.
Government Contractors: A Business of Dependency
Certain government contractors rely almost entirely on government funding, raising concerns about cronyism and inefficiency:
- Booz Allen Hamilton – 97% of its revenue comes from government contracts
- Lockheed Martin – 99% government-funded
- Raytheon – 53.3% government-funded in 2024
These firms, which handle government contracts, thrive on taxpayer money while lobbying for more spending on defense and infrastructure projects.
A Growing Debt Crisis
The U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio has reached 123%, the highest in history. This level of debt would be catastrophic for a household, yet the federal government continues to accumulate more liabilities with no real plan to balance the budget.
As financial instability looms, questions remain about whether the government can rein in its reckless spending or if it will continue to pass the burden onto future generations.
The Push for Accountability
In response to these issues, some advocates have proposed new organizations like DOGE—Department of Governmental Efficiency—to audit and track government expenditures. However, political resistance remains strong, with officials reluctant to expose wasteful spending practices.
If nothing changes, American taxpayers will continue to fund a bloated and unaccountable government, leaving future generations to deal with the consequences.
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