Elon Musk's DOGE Slashes Billions in Government Waste During Trump's First 100 Days
Under President Trump’s administration, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has identified and cut over $160 billion in wasteful federal spending within the first 100 days.
As President Trump celebrates his 100th day in office, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has announced significant achievements in reducing federal waste. DOGE’s efforts have resulted in over $160 billion in savings by targeting inefficiencies across various government agencies. One notable area of focus has been the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where DOGE uncovered questionable spending, including a $20 million project to create a ‘Sesame Street’ in Iraq aimed at promoting inclusion and mutual respect across different groups.
DOGE’s investigations have not been without controversy. A federal judge in Maryland initially ruled that some of DOGE’s actions at USAID were unconstitutional, but a federal appeals court later allowed DOGE to continue its operations. In addition to USAID, DOGE has made significant cuts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contracts, saving millions of dollars across multiple departments including the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Musk’s team has also tackled the federal workforce, which they argue has become unnecessarily large. DOGE’s efforts have led to the termination of 3,600 probationary Health and Human Services employees and a total of 280,253 layoffs across 27 agencies over the past two months. Furthermore, approximately 75,000 federal employees opted for a deferred resignation program, which DOGE claims will lead to long-term savings.
Inspired by DOGE’s initiatives, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also begun to address its spending, locating $20 billion in waste. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin highlighted a scheme where billions were hastily distributed with reduced oversight, likening the actions to ’tossing gold bars off the Titanic.’ Zeldin praised DOGE for its recommendations, stating that the department’s work has been instrumental in improving the EPA’s efficiency.
Despite facing significant media scrutiny, with Musk receiving 96% negative coverage on major networks, DOGE continues to push forward with its mission to streamline government spending and enhance efficiency under the Trump administration.