Trump praises Elon Musk for DOGE cuts in first US Congress address: 'Thank you very much'

United States President Donald Trump thanked Elon Musk, who is heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), for cuts in spendings, while addressing a joint session of Congress today from the House of Representatives chamber.

Trump said DOGE’s spending cuts will help bring down inflation. The address marks his first Congress speech since his inauguration on January 20.

"Thank you very much, we appreciate it (DOGE cuts). Even this side (Democrates) appreciates, I believe, they just don't want to admit that," he added. The DOGE has been tasked by Trump to making financial cuts to the federal government.

Informing the House that that his administration is "ending the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars", he continued: "And to that end I have created the brand new Department of Government Efficiency - DOGE perhaps you've heard of it".

Musk, who was watching from the audience, waved and gave the President a salute.

As Trump went on the shout out Musk, he also mentioned wasteful spendings that Musk and DOGE have uncovered.  He gave a lengthy list of government programs and grants he cast as examples of waste, and reiterated previous claims - since walked back by other government officials - suggesting that Social Security was providing benefits to those hundreds of years old. Democrats frequently interjected to jeer the claims.

DOGE has been one of the most controversial pieces of Trump’s second term agenda with concerns about the small team of people having access to sensitive data about the government and its employees.