Musk has thrown his hat into the political realm. Now he’s making a name for himself.
And Elon Musk is turning heads after what he just said about the federal government.
A Bold Slash at Government Waste
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is making waves, claiming to have shaved $115 billion off federal spending in under two months. Launched in late January, this lean operation is tackling the $2 trillion deficit head-on, targeting wasteful spending and fraud with a razor-sharp focus.
The results, posted on DOGE’s website, break down to roughly $714.29 per taxpayer—based on 161 million federal filers—offering a tangible win for those footing the bill.
The savings stem from a multi-pronged attack: axed contracts, scrapped grants, trimmed workforces, and a crackdown on fraudulent payouts. The General Services Administration (GSA) took the biggest hit, with the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not far behind.
About 30% of the haul—think $20 billion from ditched contracts and $17 billion from non-essential grants—is already laid out online, with DOGE promising weekly updates for a clear, no-nonsense look at every cut.
Early Wins and Big Targets
Musk isn’t mincing words about the stakes. “If we don’t do something about this deficit, the country’s going bankrupt,” he said from the Oval Office last month. “It’s not optional for us to reduce the federal expenses. It’s essential.”
DOGE hit the ground running, racking up over $1 billion in savings within weeks by killing off taxpayer-funded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across agencies. Another hefty slice—$4.9 billion—came from U.S. Customs and Border Protection dropping 21 contracts, proving the team’s knack for spotting fat to trim.
The effort goes beyond paperwork. DOGE’s digging into systemic waste has unearthed some eyebrow-raising finds. Take FEMA: in early February, it was caught funneling $59 million to house illegal immigrants in New York City’s swanky hotels.
Then there’s the Social Security database, listing tens of millions as over 100 years old—a fraud magnet.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) got a wake-up call after issuing 3,000 loans worth $333 million to supposed centenarians between 2020 and 2021. Now, birthdate checks are in, and loans for anyone under 18 or over 120 are on hold.
Transparency Meets Results
DOGE’s approach is all about keeping it real—updating its platform weekly to show “digestible and transparent” proof of its work. That openness is paying off, with the $115 billion figure signaling a serious dent in the bloat that’s long plagued federal spending.
It’s not just numbers; it’s a shift toward accountability that’s hard to argue with, especially when the biggest chunks—like the GSA cuts—start adding up.
President Trump gave DOGE a shoutout in a recent Fox News sit-down with Laura Ingraham, tipping his hat to its relentless hunt for waste.
The praise underscores a broader push to streamline government, with Musk’s crew delivering early results that could set the tone for more to come. As the deficit looms, DOGE’s fast start suggests a practical fix is in motion—one taxpayers might just feel in their wallets.
