Elon Musk's DOGE Claims $55 Billion in Savings, Yet Finds Significant Accounting Errors
DOGE claims $55 billion in savings, but its accounting is riddled with errors, raising questions over its efficiency measures and transparency.
In any event, the idea has a long way to go.
Don't expect a $5,000 check from DOGE
Business Insider·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The success is striking given the other challenges that Trump has faced in the judicial system, which has blocked — at least temporarily — his efforts to limit birthright citizenship, freeze congressionally authorized foreign aid and stop some healthcare services for transgender youth.
DOGE notches courtroom wins as Elon Musk crusades to slash federal government
Associated Press·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.It's unclear if the revision to the contract's value on DOGE's website, from $8 billion to $8 million, affects DOGE's claim of $55 billion saved.
DOGE claims $55 billion in government cuts so far -- but the figure is hard to verify
ABC News·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.It is a breathtaking and dangerous precedent to reward Adams’s opportunistic and shifting commitments on immigration and other policy matters with dismissal of a criminal indictment.
Judge delays decision on whether to dismiss N.Y. Mayor Eric Adams' corruption case
NBC News·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Paul says DOGE is "doing a great job," and he's looking forward to making some of those changes permanent.
Rand Paul wants DOGE to build a $500 billion rescission package for Congress to approve
Reason·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.It is not clear whether she will choose to remove Adams.
Black State Lawmakers Subtly Call Kathy Hochul Racist Over Eric Adams Fiasco
Townhall·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.Far RightThis outlet leans heavily toward right-wing views.Some Republicans, meanwhile, had argued the Biden administration prosecuted Adams because he was critical of the left’s handling of the border and crime.
Eric Adams gets surprise GOP ally in Congress as rumors swirl Gov. Hochul could oust him
FOX News·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.DOGE has uncovered no real waste or abuse — only contracts it could cancel to create the illusion of savings.
DOGE Finds Zero Fraud, Waste, or Abuse, Just New Ways to Harm Veterans
Rolling Stone·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.DOGE has already saved $55 billion and aims to cut $1 trillion from the national deficit, which the Congressional Budget Office projects will reach $1.9 trillion in 2025.
Musk weighs $5,000 DOGE checks for Americans, but says deficit is priority
Straight Arrow News·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Mizelle’s thread might be even more notable for potentially contradicting the DOJ’s own stance for how exactly it wants the case to be dismissed.
A top DOJ employee makes a case for dismissing Eric Adams' indictment forever
MSNBC·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.Many of these contract cancellations, outside of the USAID cuts, appear to have been selected based on language in the agreements referencing diversity, equity, or inclusion.
DOGE team's "wall of receipts" shows errors in tallying billions in savings
CBS News·1M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The inclusion of Musk and his DOGE team is one of biggest differences from the first Trump administration.
Elon Musk breaks down his role in Trump administration for Hannity
The Blaze·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.In response, protests have taken place across the country and Democratic politicians have been outspoken against DOGE’s cost-cutting tactics, claiming the data access risks national security and that Musk is opening "the door for criminals to get involved," Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., recently said in a press briefing.
Trump's Treasury secretary serves reality check to Dems worried that DOGE will expose fraud
Fox Business·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.The administration has been trying to build a wall around Musk to avoid accountability.
Elon Musk Only Has 100 Days Left in Government
The American Prospect·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.But Elon Musk’s DOGE, staffed with people who have little experience in federal government, keeps cutting too deep — even by its slash-and-burn standards.
Elon Musk’s DOGE Keeps Accidentally Firing Very Important People
New York Magazine·1M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.DOGE has triggered a wave of layoffs across the federal government.
D.C. Prosecutor Probes Threats Against DOGE, Names Schumer as Target
Newsmax·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.Clearly, this history and case law underscores the legal risks associated with prosecuting Mayor Adams.
Top DOJ Official Explains Decision To Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
The Daily Wire·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.The proposal would require congressional approval prior to pushing out any rebate checks, while lawmakers evaluate the most effective ways to utilize the savings generated so far by DOGE.
One America News Network·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.DOGE has taken swift action to purge what Mr. Musk calls fraudulent and wasteful spending from government agencies.
Judge Chutkan Shoots Down Democrat AG-Led Effort To Curb Data Access to DOGE
New York Sun·1M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Summary
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims to have saved $55 billion via numerous cuts, but scrutiny reveals substantial accounting errors, with many savings inflated or miscalculated. For instance, a canceled contract misidentified as $8 billion was corrected to just $8 million. With inconsistencies in itemized savings, experts question DOGE's credibility. Despite its ambitious goal of reducing the federal deficit by $1 trillion, actual savings appear significantly lower, sparking public and internal backlash over transparency and the impact of cuts on vital programs.
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