He is a populist who gets his way through a mixture of flattery, favors and intimidation. He supports a secure border which makes him popular with Republicans while advocating for protectionist trade policies, traditionally promoted by Democrats. He doesn’t seem to understand principled people like Elon Musk and Senator Rand Paul.

The Musk-led DOGE team found $180 billion in spending and efficiency savings. That is a far cry from the original target, but it is a start. Trump wants to introduce a bill codifying $9.4 billion in savings. It is a drop in the bucket, but it puts action on spending where it belongs, with Congress.

You can see why Musk, Paul, and other principled deficit hawks are upset. Trump is asking for the codification of $9.4 billion in cuts, while submitting a “Big Beautiful Bill” which will add trillions to the federal debt. There is a clear conflict of principles.

Musk has his personal flaws, but he and Paul are right. The American people elected Trump, in part because he would bring fundamental change to the Swamp. The border is more secure and that is good. But giving lip service to the unwieldy government debt is not a good way to fulfill a promise of fundamental change.