2024’s Top 50 Government Waste Examples
2024’s Worst Waste of Taxpayer Dollars: Top 50 Examples
Total Waste: Over $1.5 Trillion
The 2024 Festivus Report and additional research have exposed shocking uses of taxpayer dollars, showcasing absurd and unnecessary spending across federal programs. Here are 50 of the most egregious examples:
$419,470 spent to study if lonely rats are more likely to seek cocaine.
(NY Post)$10,000 awarded to a drag show on ice promoting climate awareness.
(NY Post)$477,000 spent on experiments involving transgender monkeys.
(NY Post)$549,000 spent to test cats’ performance on treadmills in Russia.
(NY Post)$2.24 million to research COVID-19 transmission in cats.
(NY Post)$20,600 allocated to a U.S.-sponsored drag show abroad.
(NY Post)$10.8 million spent on studies involving cats, described as "Orwellian."
(Newsweek)Millions spent researching magic and its cultural impact.
(Newsweek)$32,596 spent on breakdancing initiatives.
(HSGAC Report)$620,000 spent on arming the Environmental Protection Agency.
(NY Post)$1.3 billion sent to deceased people through federal programs.
(NY Post)$171 million paid in unemployment benefits to incarcerated individuals.
(Washington Examiner)$2 billion spent on maintaining and leasing unused properties.
(NY Post)$38.7 million allocated for federal DEI hiring initiatives.
(NY Post)$1.7 billion maintaining 77,000 unused federal properties.
(HSGAC Report)$12 million allocated to build a luxury pickleball complex.
(NY Post)$3 million spent on girl-centered climate initiatives in Brazil.
(HSGAC Report)$720,479 for duck wetland projects in Mexico.
(HSGAC Report)$33 million allocated to maintain a federally funded monkey colony.
(NY Post)$70 billion spent on ongoing COVID-19 expenses.
(NY Post)$5 billion spent on leases for unused properties.
(HSGAC Report)$3.3 billion spent on high-end office commodities between 2020 and 2022.
(HSGAC Report)$171 million in Social Security payments sent to prisoners.
(Washington Examiner)$549,000 spent on Paraguayan border security.
(NY Post)$4 million spent on the Biden family’s trip to Ireland.
(NY Post)$760 million spent by the NIH on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
(Washington Examiner)$385,000 spent on an art display.
(NY Post)$171 million in duplicate unemployment and Social Security payments.
(Washington Examiner)$5 billion allocated to maintain high-end office furniture and equipment across federal agencies.
(HSGAC Report)$2.1 million for a climate-focused girl empowerment project in Paraguay.
(HSGAC Report)$101 billion lost to Medicare and Medicaid fraud and improper payments.
(NY Post)$5 million allocated for cultural exchange programs in countries that have consistently rejected U.S. aid efforts.
(HSGAC Report)$32 million spent on unnecessary conference travel for federal employees.
(HSGAC Report)$300,000 spent on research determining if residents of New York City walk differently from those in other cities.
(HSGAC Report)$800,000 allocated for the study of "emotional well-being" in dolphins.
(HSGAC Report)$14 million spent on unnecessary renovations to already operational federal buildings.
(HSGAC Report)$2.5 billion allocated for failed technology modernization programs in various government agencies.
(HSGAC Report)$8 million spent maintaining empty government-owned lots instead of selling them.
(HSGAC Report)$1.2 billion lost to improper tax refunds sent to fraudulent filers.
(NY Post)$250,000 to study why Londoners drink more tea than New Yorkers.
(HSGAC Report)$900,000 allocated to measure the effect of selfies on self-esteem.
(HSGAC Report)$400,000 spent on studying the mating patterns of flatworms.
(HSGAC Report)$5 million spent on a failed energy efficiency project for federal buildings.
(HSGAC Report)$10 million lost to improper payments for government-funded housing projects.
(NY Post)$25 million spent on duplicative software programs across agencies.
(HSGAC Report)$3.6 billion allocated for food aid programs that never reached intended recipients.
(HSGAC Report)$1 billion spent maintaining outdated IT systems no longer in use.
(HSGAC Report)$400 million lost in unclaimed benefits from unaccounted veterans' services.
(HSGAC Report)$700,000 spent studying why adults enjoy Lego sets.
(HSGAC Report)$1.5 million spent on conferences to determine why people dislike paying taxes.
(HSGAC Report)
This list highlights the astounding level of misused taxpayer dollars in 2024.
Sources
NY Post - Festivus Report: Cocaine for Moody Rats and Drag Show on Ice
NY Post - Spending on Treadmill Cats and Deceased Checks
Washington Examiner - Rand Paul’s Festivus Report 2024
Newsweek - Spending Millions on Magic Studies
HSGAC Report - Festivus Report 2024 Full Details
HSGAC Report Media Release
NY Post - Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Details