DOGE did not find $2T in fraud, but that doesn’t matter, Musk allies say

December 31, 2025

TL;DR

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aimed to significantly cut federal spending and fraud.
Musk himself has admitted DOGE was only "a little bit successful" and expressed regret about leading the agency.
DOGE's initial claims of saving trillions were drastically reduced, and its reported cost-cutting figures are disputed due to unreliable data and accounting methods.
Critics suggest DOGE may have caused around $21.7 billion in waste and potentially increased costs through more expensive federal contracts by cutting the workforce.
While DOGE did achieve significant federal workforce reductions, it had no noticeable impact on the month-to-month federal budget, which actually increased during its operation.
Some allies argue DOGE's 'higher purpose' was to reform government by changing hiring/firing norms and encouraging innovation, even if budget targets weren't met.
DOGE continues to exist as a decentralized entity with staffers appointed to various agencies, but Musk has stated he would not lead such an effort again.

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