Elon Musk admits that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has not met its budget reduction targets and may need to continue operations until 2028, revealing the challenges and controversies facing reforms. (Background: Musk announced a shift back to Tesla, reducing DOGE work, leading to a surge in TSLA and Dogecoin) (Additional context: Is DOGE done? Musk significantly lowered the budget cut target for 2026 from $2 trillion to $150 billion) The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by the world's richest man Elon Musk, has been under scrutiny since its establishment for its goal of cutting federal spending in the United States. However, earlier this week at a press conference at the White House, Musk admitted that DOGE's effectiveness in promoting budget cuts has far fallen short of the initial targets set. At the same time, Musk indicated that the department, which was originally planned to disband on July 4, 2026, may now continue to operate until the end of 2028, effectively doubling its term. Source: Reuters The efficiency targets and unfinished business of DOGE Regarding specific reduction results, Musk stated that DOGE has currently facilitated approximately $160 billion in federal spending savings. However, he acknowledged that this figure is far from the ambitious target of $2 trillion set for 2024. Nevertheless, he still expects DOGE to ultimately achieve a total savings of $1 trillion. Musk pointed out that the main resistance to expenditure reduction comes from within the government, describing it as dependent on "how much pain the cabinet and Congress are willing to bear," and he stated that while it is difficult, it is achievable, requiring the management of a significant amount of complaints and dissent. However, analyses from independent external agencies have questioned the savings amounts claimed by DOGE. For example, analyses from the Cato Institute and CBS News suggest that the actual benefits brought by DOGE may be far lower than official figures, estimating about $63 billion, as they may include administrative errors and exaggeration. Furthermore, DOGE's own operations could have incurred significant additional costs; according to CBS News analysis, considering factors such as paid leave, re-hiring processes, and potential productivity losses, related costs could reach $135 billion. Multiple resistances and future outlook on the road to reform Since its establishment, DOGE has faced ongoing controversies and resistance from various sides. Critics such as Chatham House have published views suggesting that DOGE's reduction methods may be overly ideological rather than based on objective evidence, especially in cutting research funding, which could undermine the overall resilience and international competitiveness of the U.S. At the same time, DOGE has encountered multiple legal challenges, with many third-party entities questioning the constitutionality of DOGE's establishment, and the public remains skeptical about DOGE's actual effectiveness, particularly because its reform actions have not addressed major social welfare programs that account for significant federal spending, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Overall, Musk's personal confirmation that DOGE has not met its expected targets for federal spending cuts, along with the revelation that the department's term may be extended by a factor of two, highlights the complexities and immense challenges faced in government efficiency reform efforts. However, DOGE's development also reminds us that government reform is not a simple task that can be accomplished overnight; it involves not only numerical games on paper but also deeper systemic challenges, complex interest negotiations, and a profound understanding and redefinition of the nature of public services.

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