Can anyone (outside of ignorant, belligerent woodpecker of course) defend THIS ?

https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/01/28/ghost-phones-california-rakes-in-millions-for-94k-dead-people-n2198616

Ghost Phones: California Rakes in Millions for 94K Dead People

"

1. A new Inspector General advisory found that providers took nearly $5 million in federal dollars to provide phone and Internet service to over 116,000 dead people.  And this IG advisory looked at just three states.

The chairman wasn’t done, and specifically namechecked the elegantly coiffed gov. who has been taking increasing heat from the administration (see: Scott Bessent torching “Sparkle Beach Ken”):

2. Gavin Newsom’s California was by far the worst offender of these opt-out states.  On Governor Newsom’s watch, California allowed over 94,000 dead people to be used to obtain federal dollars for phone and Internet service.  The FCC recently revoked California’s authority to run its own verification process."