The Fraud that went to our $40 Trillion Debt plus The Tariff Panic Was Wrong

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben breaks down Government Accountability Office estimates of federal fraud and improper payments, discuss how those losses contribute to broader fiscal challenges, and analyze new Federal Reserve research on tariffs, inflation, and productivity. They explore the limits of attributing the national debt solely to fraud and waste while arguing that significant opportunities remain to reduce unnecessary spending. The conversation also compares predictions about tariff-driven inflation with more recent economic findings and examines how businesses adapted to changing trade policies.  America’s national debt has surpassed $40 trillion, raising a fundamental question: how much taxpayer money is being lost to fraud, improper payments, duplication, and government waste? Drawing on findings from government watchdog reports, this episode examines the scale of federal spending problems and the potential savings that could come from addressing them. The discussion also revisits one of the biggest economic debates surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. After years of warnings that tariffs would fuel inflation and harm consumers, new research highlighted in the episode examines what actually happened and whether productivity gains helped offset higher costs.  Topics Covered: The U.S. national debt surpassing $40 trillion GAO estimates of annual federal fraud losses Trillions in reported improper payments across federal programs Government duplication, overlap, and efficiency recommendations Federal Reserve research on tariffs and inflation Productivity gains in industries affected by tariffs Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.