Jillian Michaels Weighs In on Government Waste, Backs Musk’s DOGE Initiative
Fitness icon Jillian Michaels has added her voice to the growing chorus of those concerned about government spending, expressing her support for the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to cut waste under the leadership of Elon Musk. Michaels, known for her no-nonsense approach to fitness and wellness, didn’t mince words when describing her reaction to the reported levels of government waste, fraud, and abuse uncovered by DOGE.
"I’m horrified by the list of apparent waste," Michaels stated during a recent appearance on "Jesse Watters Primetime," highlighting the excessive spending she believes is plaguing the government.
DOGE, under Musk’s direction, has claimed to have identified billions of dollars in misused funds and is actively pursuing federal audits and personnel adjustments to rectify the situation. While acknowledging the need for caution and precision in implementing such sweeping changes, Michaels ultimately supports the initiative, emphasizing the outrage felt by average Americans when they see their tax dollars squandered.
"If I were to play devil’s advocate, the argument would be, ‘Hey, slow down. You know, make sure you don’t break something. Be very precise with this,’" Michaels explained, illustrating her attempt to consider opposing viewpoints. However, she reiterated her shock at the extent of the financial mismanagement uncovered by DOGE.
"I can only imagine that the average American who lives paycheck to paycheck – that when they see their tax dollars funding stuff like this, of course, they’re outraged," Michaels emphasized, echoing the sentiment of many who feel their hard-earned money is being irresponsibly spent. She further added that this financial irresponsibility contributes to the public’s desire to "drain the swamp" of corruption and inefficiency.
Michaels admitted that the complexities of government operations are often beyond the comprehension of the average citizen, including herself. However, she asserted that the evidence of excessive spending is undeniable. "What I can tell you is that it’s clear some of this funding is like a CIA slush fund," she stated, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in certain government expenditures.
The fitness expert used a powerful analogy to illustrate the necessity and the delicate nature of DOGE’s mission, comparing the removal of government bloat to the removal of a "brain tumor." She stressed that such a procedure requires precision, a "methodical" approach, and careful consideration to avoid causing further damage.
"Be methodical, be careful – but at the end of the day, this is just insane," Michaels said, referring to reports of extravagant spending, such as "$1,300 coffee cups" and an "8,000% overpay for soap dispensers." These examples, among others, have fueled public outrage and underscored the need for serious reform within government agencies, particularly the Pentagon, which DOGE is currently scrutinizing.
The article touched upon the controversy surrounding an email sent by the Office of Personnel Management to federal employees, requesting them to list five accomplishments from the previous week. While some interpreted this as a performance review, Musk clarified that it was intended as a simple "pulse check" to gauge employee engagement. "I think that email was perhaps interpreted as a performance review, but actually, it was a pulse check review. Do you have a pulse?" Musk quipped during a Cabinet meeting, downplaying the negative reactions.
Michaels defended Musk’s initiative, calling the criticism "absurd" and arguing that no business could function effectively without accountability. "The fact that we can’t ask people to take 30 seconds to answer an email without appearing Draconian is absurd," she stated, suggesting that some government employees may be resistant to even basic forms of performance monitoring.
The article acknowledged the mounting scrutiny that President Trump, Elon Musk, and the DOGE agenda have faced from various Democratic politicians and media outlets. It also briefly mentioned the recent criticism leveled against Musk regarding his South African heritage.
Addressing the concerns surrounding potential job losses resulting from DOGE’s efforts, Michaels initially expressed sympathy for affected employees, recognizing the hardship they might face. "You know, they probably have kids, and they have bills to pay. You can’t just rip the rug out from under that," she said. However, her perspective shifted after learning about the severance packages offered to government workers.
"I thought, well, wait a minute, that sounds like kind of a good deal," Michaels admitted, noting the generous terms of the severance packages. "You’ve got eight months with benefits to find another gig, and we know that there are, like, 7 million job openings in the country right now." This realization tempered her initial concerns and led her to believe that the displaced workers would have ample opportunities to find new employment.
In conclusion, Jillian Michaels has firmly positioned herself as a supporter of Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative, emphasizing the need for government accountability and waste reduction. While acknowledging the complexities and potential pitfalls of such a large-scale undertaking, she believes that the potential benefits for American taxpayers outweigh the risks. Her endorsement adds another layer of credibility to DOGE’s efforts and underscores the growing public demand for fiscal responsibility within the government.
