The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has updated its reported savings, but the figures have yet to be verified.
Overseen by Elon Musk, DOGE was established under Donald Trump’s directive to significantly reduce government spending and eliminate wasteful use of taxpayer money. Musk has pledged full transparency in the cost-cutting measures, many of which are detailed on the agency’s website.
As part of its commitment to keeping the public informed, DOGE updated its savings figures on February 24, claiming an astonishing $65 billion in total reductions.
“DOGE’s total estimated savings stand at $65 billion,” the agency stated. “This figure is derived from fraud detection and elimination, contract and lease cancellations or renegotiations, asset sales, grant terminations, workforce reductions, programmatic changes, and regulatory savings.”
Despite promises of transparency, it remains unclear how DOGE arrived at this massive figure.
According to ABC News, only $144 million has been saved through lease terminations, while canceled contracts account for approximately $9.6 billion—significantly lower than the $65 billion DOGE claims to have saved. The New York Times has also raised concerns, stating, “While DOGE has likely cut a number of billions in spending, its haphazard accounting reflects a pattern of recklessness. The agency has also recently gained access to sensitive government payment systems, raising further questions about oversight.”
Additionally, some of the savings reported on DOGE’s website may have originated from budget cuts made during Joe Biden’s presidency.
When asked about DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Independent:
“President Trump promised the American people that he would create the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to ensure a more efficient and accountable federal government. Any attempts by rogue bureaucrats or activist judges to obstruct this initiative are an effort to undermine the will of the people. DOGE has already identified billions in taxpayer savings, and President Trump will continue leading this effort to make the government truly for the people, by the people.”
However, Leavitt did not specify an exact savings figure.
