President Donald Trump is giving Elon Musk a thumbs up for his work on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but he’s not entirely satisfied.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Musk is “doing a great job” but needs to be “more aggressive” in cutting government waste.
What’s DOGE All About?
For those who may not know, DOGE is an agency tasked with identifying and eliminating wasteful federal spending. And it’s been making waves since its inception.
As of February 17, 2025, DOGE has estimated savings of around $55 billion. Not bad, right?
Will do, Mr. President! pic.twitter.com/2VMS2wY7mw
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2025
The Controversy Surrounding DOGE
But not everyone is a fan of DOGE. Several Democrats have dismissed or publicly condemned the agency, citing concerns over its access to federal systems, including the Treasury Department’s payment system.
Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore., even went so far as to accuse Musk of trying to “line his own pockets and rip off Americans.”
What Has DOGE Cut So Far?
So, what exactly has DOGE been cutting? Well, for starters, the agency has been focused on tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
It’s canceled numerous government contracts, which it says have saved the American people millions. Some notable examples include:
- $1.5 million to push DEI in Serbia
- $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland
- $47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Colombia
A Possible “DOGE Dividend”?
But here’s the interesting part: DOGE isn’t just looking to cut spending; it’s also exploring ways to give some of the savings back to the American people.
James Fishback, CEO of investment firm Azoria, has proposed the idea of a “DOGE dividend,” where the agency would issue refunds to Americans based on its savings.
Musk has even floated the idea of sending checks to Americans using the saved funds.
What’s Next for DOGE?
As of now, there’s been no formal action taken on the dividend idea, but Musk has said that Trump is “supportive” of the concept. With DOGE’s expiration set for July 2026, it’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
Will we see a “DOGE dividend” become a reality?
Only time will tell.