Archive · 26 Dec 2025
DOGE's Failure to Cut Spending
Elon Musk started a department called DOGE to make the government spend less money and have fewer employees.
But even though they cut a lot of jobs, the government actually spent more money.
DOGE said they saved a lot of money, but many of those savings were not real.
In the end, DOGE didn't work as planned and was closed earlier than expected.
Some people say it's because the government can't easily cut spending on things like social security and healthcare, and others say DOGE didn't do a good job.
DOGE, led by Elon Musk, was disbanded eight months early in March 2026.
Despite cutting 271,000 jobs (9% reduction), federal spending increased by nearly 6%.
DOGE's initial goal of saving $2 trillion was repeatedly lowered to $150 billion.
28 of DOGE's top 40 savings claims were found to be false by the New York Times.
Cato Institute noted that DOGE couldn't cut spending on entitlement programs, which are on autopilot.
- Who
- Elon Musk, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- What
- DOGE's failure to reduce government spending and workforce cuts
- When
- January 2025 - December 2025
- Where
- United States
- Why
- DOGE's inability to cut entitlement programs and false savings claims
- Department
- Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Head
- Elon Musk
- Disbanded
- March 2026 (8 months early)
- Spending Increase
- Nearly 6%
- Workforce Reduction
- 271,000 employees (9% slump)
- Initial Savings Goal
- $2 trillion
- Final Savings Goal
- $150 billion
- False Savings Claims
- 28 of 40
