The Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, initially aimed to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, later reducing this goal to $1 trillion. Despite claims of saving billions, analyses revealed that DOGE’s savings were often inflated and based on faulty math. For example, Musk claimed $160 billion in savings, but only $58 billion was accounted for, with many errors and guesses about the future.
A Politico analysis found that of the $52.8 billion DOGE claimed to have saved by canceling contracts, only $32.7 billion could be verified, and actual savings were closer to $1.4 billion. Additionally, none of these savings would lower the federal deficit unless Congress intervened, as the money was returned to the respective agencies.
DOGE’s savings calculations were flawed, Gizmodo added, using maximum possible spending as a baseline, which gave a false picture of savings. The organization also spent more money attempting to downsize the government than it saved, with $21.7 billion spent on programs like the Deferred Resignation Program and payments to employees not to work.
The Senate committee noted that DOGE’s spending was more than double the amount it had definitively cut from the government. Despite its inefficiencies, DOGE continued to operate, with unclear activities and a mandate shrouded in mystery after Musk’s departure. The organization also faced criticism for its wasteful operations and fraudulent public statements.
In summary, DOGE, which aimed to root out governmental waste and fraud, ended up being wasteful and frequently made fraudulent claims about its savings.
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