Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency says it’s saving taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. In reality, none of the money has gone back to taxpayers yet — nor has it been cut from the federal budget.
The cost-cutting blitz has already halted the spending of more than $55 billion, according to DOGE, although that number is difficult to verify as DOGE only lists around 20% of its line-item spending reductions on its website. That includes canceling programs ranging from billion-dollar IT-support contracts to $32,200 set aside for two students interning at the Treasury Department.
“More of your tax dollars saved,” Musk posted on X after DOGE claimed credit on Thursday for saving $115 million in canceled contracts.