Elon Is Out: 7 Takeaways from His Time Leading DOGE

A 130-day tenure marked by ambitious cost-cutting, legal challenges, and a lasting impact on federal operations.

Elon Musk speaking at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Photo by Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons license.

1. $1,087 Saved Per Taxpayer?

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims it has saved $1,087 per U.S. taxpayer since January 2025, according to DOGE’s official website. That equates to over $160 billion in cuts. Independent analysts question the accounting behind this figure, but the topline number is a centerpiece of the Trump administration’s messaging.

2. The Math Doesn’t Always Add Up

Analyses found that much of the touted $160 billion in cuts lacked documentation, and some eliminations could cost taxpayers more in lost services (en.wikipedia.org). By February, NPR noted DOGE’s reported savings “don’t add up,” and CBS News highlighted an analysis suggesting DOGE’s cuts might have net costs of over $100 billion when secondary effects were considered. Even two veteran GOP budget experts opined that Musk’s cost-cutting spree appeared driven more by political ideology than by genuine efficiency gains. Musk insisted DOGE was operating with transparency on his X (Twitter) account, but a lack of public documentation and his refusal to divest from his own federal contractors fueled further criticism.

3. Congress and the Public Push Back

Musk’s tenure provoked sharp backlash. A coalition of 19 Democratic state attorneys general filed suit challenging DOGE’s authority, while House Democrats attempted to subpoena Musk over what they called reckless budget slashing. The Trump administration blocked that effort. Outside D.C., watchdog groups warned DOGE was using fraud claims to justify sweeping cuts. At town halls, voters lamented lost services—ranging from veterans’ clinics to small business grants. Some individuals also began protesting Tesla, the company Elon leads.

In today’s Pro Brief:

Elon Musk is officially out at DOGE—or is he? Trump says Musk “will always be with us,” and sources hint he’s still pulling strings behind the scenes. We’ve got the receipts, the real legal limits on his power, and what this means for Trump’s $2 trillion gamble.

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