Musk 'said goodbye' to Trump's cabinet, claiming that DOGE has saved $160 billion, far below the initial target.
According to media reports, on Wednesday local time, Musk claimed at a White House meeting that the government efficiency department (DOGE) he leads has saved $160 billion in expenditures so far. This is far from his promise last fall of 'at least $2 trillion' in cuts.
Reports mention that during the meeting, when President Trump stated that DOGE had 'saved' $150 billion, Musk immediately corrected him: '$160 billion, but who is counting?'
It is worth noting that Musk had already begun to downplay the initial commitment in an interview in January this year, stating: 'If we aim to cut $2 trillion, the actual savings might reach $1 trillion.'
Experts have questioned that the actual amount saved by DOGE may be much lower than the $160 billion claimed by Musk. According to the non-profit organization Partnership for Public Service, the costs associated with DOGE, including 'layoffs, rehires, productivity losses, and paid leave for thousands of workers, will exceed $135 billion this fiscal year.'
This means that despite Musk's insistence on significant results, the DOGE project may actually have led to an increase in net government spending.
"Semi-farewell" to the White House: Musk shifts focus to Tesla
At the meeting on Wednesday, Musk told Trump:
'It is an honor to work with your outstanding cabinet. I just want to thank everyone; it is a privilege to work with you, and thank you for everything you have done.'
'In the first 100 days, we have achieved tremendous accomplishments. As everyone says, this is more than any previous administration has achieved. So, this bodes well for the upcoming government work and for the work of other governments.'
Trump stated at the meeting: 'We all need to thank you for your help. You have indeed made great sacrifices. You have been treated very unfairly.' Musk then half-jokingly said: 'Well, they like to burn my cars, which isn't great.'
'As long as the president wants me to do this, as long as it is useful, I will continue the work on DOGE. But starting next month, I will allocate more time to Tesla, as the main work of establishing DOGE has been completed.'
Reports indicate that currently, Musk no longer works in the West Wing of the White House, but his DOGE deputies are still working in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building within the White House complex.
