Elon Musk, known for his groundbreaking ventures with Tesla and SpaceX, is now venturing into the realm of federal spending cuts. As a co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency under President-elect Donald Trump, Musk is setting his sights on reducing expenditures for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program, a move that has stirred discussions among lawmakers from North Texas.
The F-35 fighter jet program, a significant project for Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility, has faced criticism from Musk. He described it as “the worst military value for money in history” and labeled it “an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none.” Musk’s comments suggest a shift towards drone technology, which he claims makes manned fighter jets obsolete.
The Economic and Strategic Impact
The F-35 program extends beyond Fort Worth, influencing suppliers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, impacting the economy with an estimated $72 billion annually. According to Lockheed Martin, over 250,000 advanced manufacturing jobs are linked to the program, with Fort Worth alone benefiting from more than 49,000 jobs and $9.4 billion in economic impact.
Despite Musk’s criticism, the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have recently reached an agreement for continued production of the F-35. The U.S. Government Accountability Office highlights the jet’s crucial role in national security, though it acknowledges challenges such as production issues and increasing costs, which could total $2 trillion, according to Defense News.
Political Response and Challenges
Political reactions to Musk’s proposal are mixed. Fort Worth Democrat Rep. Marc Veasey expressed concern about Musk’s influence over Trump, noting the potential threat to the F-35 program. Meanwhile, TCU Political Science Professor Jim Riddlesperger pointed out the difficulty of cutting defense spending due to its widespread economic impact.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, his co-leader in DOGE, aim to identify and cut unauthorized federal expenditures exceeding $500 billion annually. Their strategy involves executive actions based on current laws rather than new legislation, as outlined in a Wall Street Journal opinion article.
Congressional Insights and Future Prospects
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson suggests that while Musk’s comments might lead to a gradual reassessment of the F-35 program, the likelihood of an outright discontinuation is low. Instead, production may slow as the program’s strengths and weaknesses are evaluated.
Fort Worth’s congressional representatives remain steadfast in support of the F-35. Rep. Craig Goldman, successor to the influential Kay Granger, vowed to fight against any cuts to the program. “One person cannot cut the F-35 program,” he asserted, emphasizing the role of Congress in budgetary decisions.
Musk and Ramaswamy have already initiated discussions with Republican lawmakers, including Texas Sen. John Cornyn. Their approach, focusing on cost-cutting and efficiency, poses an interesting challenge to traditional congressional budgetary processes.
