Pinpointing the genesis of “waste, fraud and abuse” as political rhetoric is difficult
The concept of "waste, fraud, and abuse" as political rhetoric in the U.S. dates back to the nation's founding, with historical examples including debates over taxation, the national bank, and welfare fraud. The phrase has been used by various leaders, from Andrew Jackson and Ronald Reagan to modern figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, to criticize government spending. While libertarians argue that much of this rhetoric targets large government programs, others note that many instances labeled as waste are often overpayments or administrative errors rather than intentional fraud. The debate continues over the definitions and actual levels of fraud versus administrative inefficiencies.
