Musk has teamed up with Trump to slash the federal government. Now it’s time to put his money where his mouth is.
And he left D.C. bureaucrats scrambling with an unexpected announcement.
Slashing Waste, Boosting Efficiency
Elon Musk, the visionary leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), dropped a bombshell at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting alongside President Donald Trump: his team is poised to carve out over $150 billion in savings for Fiscal Year 2026 by targeting government waste and fraud.
This isn’t just a number—it’s a promise to streamline a bloated system and deliver real value to American taxpayers. With Musk’s knack for cutting through inefficiencies, the plan signals a bold step toward a leaner, smarter federal government.
“We anticipate savings in FY 26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion. And, I mean, and some of it is just absurd. Like people getting unemployment insurance who haven’t been born yet,” Musk quipped, highlighting the kind of jaw-dropping mismanagement his team is rooting out.
A Target-Rich Hunt for Savings
Musk’s confidence stems from what he sees as a government riddled with low-hanging fruit for reform.
“People ask me how are you going to find waste and fraud in a government? I’m like, well, actually, just go in any direction. That’s how you find it. It’s very common. It’s, as a military would say, a target-rich environment,” he said, painting a picture of a system so flush with inefficiencies that cleanup feels almost effortless.
His track record of disrupting stagnant industries gives weight to his words—where others see bureaucracy, Musk sees opportunity.
Just a day before the Cabinet meeting, DOGE flexed its muscle by axing 108 “wasteful contracts” with a ceiling value of $250 million, locking in $70 million in immediate savings.
Among the culprits? A $14,000 Department of Health and Human Services deal for an “executive transformational leadership training program” that reeks of corporate fluff, and a $5.2 million contract with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for vague “strategic advisory” services to “improve and transform” processes.
These cuts aren’t just numbers—they’re proof that Musk’s team is diving deep to eliminate spending that doesn’t serve the American people.
Better Services, Smarter Spending
What sets this effort apart is its focus on outcomes, not just slashing budgets for the sake of it.
“So, I think we’re doing a lot of good, and in excellent collaboration with the Cabinet, to achieve these savings. And it will actually result in better services for the American people. And then we’re going to be spending their tax dollars in a way that is sensible and fair and good,” Musk emphasized. His vision aligns with a broader push to restore trust in government by ensuring every dollar is spent with purpose.
This isn’t about dismantling essential services—it’s about redirecting resources to where they matter most. By working hand-in-hand with Trump’s Cabinet, Musk’s DOGE is setting a new standard for accountability.
The early wins, like scrapping those 108 contracts, show a team that’s not afraid to make tough calls. With billions on the line and a leader like Musk at the helm, the drive to cut waste while boosting efficiency feels like a win for taxpayers who deserve a government that works as hard as they do.
