In a recent podcast, Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of X and leader of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), voiced strong criticism of U.S. government funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), describing them as possibly the "biggest scam ever." His comments arise amid wider debates about the effectiveness and accountability of NGOs that receive government funding, particularly during the tenures of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.

Musk raised alarms about the operational integrity of various NGOs, claiming they often act as fronts for significant amounts of money that, if managed directly by the government, might be considered illegal.

In his conversation with Joe Rogan, he pointed out what he sees as a system vulnerable to exploitation, noting that individuals affiliated with NGOs can profit financially, at times receiving hefty salaries while their organizations obtain substantial government grants.

Musk highlighted a specific incident where a newly formed NGO was awarded a $1.9 billion grant, despite having little prior activity.

He critiqued the use of the term 'non-profit,' suggesting that NGOs funded by the government essentially operate as government entities while pretending to be independent.

Musk further indicated that a large portion of this funding may be squandered or misappropriated, identifying it as a concerning element of the existing system.

He mentioned financier George Soros, suggesting he exemplifies how an individual can use small donations to secure disproportionately large amounts through NGO funding.

Musk stated, "George Soros is like a system hacker," suggesting that such individuals exploit the current framework to maximize financial input into these organizations.

During the discussion, Musk remarked that setting up an NGO has minimal requirements, facilitating easy access to government grants.

He questioned whether the effectiveness of funded projects is adequately assessed, considering the government's consistent funding could lead to potential misuse or fraudulent activities.

Musk described certain parts of the NGO ecosystem as a "giant propaganda machine" or a "regime change machine," voicing concerns about their influence on policy and governance.

While acknowledging that some NGOs have a positive impact, he suggested that a significant portion of the funding—possibly 90 to 95 percent—might be ineffective or misallocated.

He illustrated this by referring to funding for initiatives ostensibly aimed at Ebola prevention, expressing doubts about the real impact of such financial support.

Additionally, Musk shared alarming statistics regarding U.S. government financial management, noting estimated losses of about $2 trillion annually and failures in adhering to audits.

He recounted discussions with Senator Susan Collins about unaccounted funds intended for navy submarines, highlighting a lack of transparency and accountability in the system.

Musk explained how payments processed through a primary computer system, responsible for nearly $5 trillion in yearly disbursements, can often happen without adequate oversight.

He depicted a scenario where payments may be issued without the need for precise categorization or descriptions, resulting in a lack of traceability and potential financial improprieties.

Musk underscored that payments to NGOs might continue without regard for personnel changes within the overseeing offices, revealing systemic weaknesses in monitoring.

His remarks underscore ongoing concerns about the fiscal integrity and management of government funds allocated to NGOs, raising serious questions about the sustainability of such systems.