Donald Trump credits Elon Musk with tens of billions in savings, but DOGE’s social media has other ideas; here’s the breakdown

President Donald Trump has credited Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for finding tens of billions of dollars in government savings. Speaking to reporters on February 11, Trump stated, “We’re talking about tens of billions of dollars that we’ve already found… But you’re talking about maybe 500 billion. It’s crazy the numbers you’re talking about,” as reported by The Washington Post.

What are Trump’s claims about government savings?

According to Trump, DOGE has identified significant savings by cutting waste, fraud, and unnecessary spending. He suggested that the total savings could reach close to a trillion dollars. Specifically, Trump highlighted savings from shutting down various programs, including diversity and climate change initiatives.

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Do the numbers match the claims?

Despite Trump’s claims, the figures shared by DOGE’s social media accounts tell a different story. The Washington Post reported that the savings documented by DOGE amount to around $6 billion annually. Key figures include:

$4 billion from a proposed cap on National Institutes of Health (NIH) overhead payments, which was later blocked by a judge.

$2 billion from eliminating specific line items, mostly related to diversity and climate programs.

What does the Government Accountability Office say?

The White House, in response to The Washington Post, cited reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimating that the federal government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion annually due to fraud. Another GAO report found that improper payments in 2023 amounted to $236 billion. However, these figures are based on agency estimates and potential fraud, rather than actual recovered funds.

Specific cost-cutting measures announced by DOGE

DOGE has detailed various cost-cutting actions, including:

Ending the penny: Trump ordered the U.S. Mint to stop making pennies, citing that production cost taxpayers $179 million in FY2023.

Cutting DEI programs: DOGE claimed to save $1 billion by canceling diversity, equity, and inclusion contracts.

Leasing cuts: DOGE announced the termination of 22 underutilized federal building leases, leading to $44.6 million in savings.

Eliminating government consulting contracts: On February 3, DOGE reported the termination of 36 contracts, saving $165 million.

Canceling health-related administrative expenses: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) canceled 62 contracts worth $182 million, including a $168,000 NIH Museum exhibit on Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Are these savings real or estimates?

While Trump presents these figures as solid savings, many of them remain estimates or future projections. Some proposed cuts, like the NIH overhead cap, have been blocked, and the actual savings from fraud recovery remain uncertain.

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While Trump and Musk claim savings in the hundreds of billions, the publicly documented savings total around $6 billion annually. Reports from watchdog agencies suggest that waste and fraud could amount to much larger figures, but it remains unclear how much of that can actually be recovered. As the government continues to announce new cost-cutting measures, the real impact of DOGE’s efficiency drive will become clearer over time.

FAQs:

How much savings has Trump claimed under DOGE?
Trump claims the savings could reach close to a trillion dollars.

What are the major cost-cutting measures?
Cuts include ending the penny, canceling diversity contracts, and reducing lease costs.