Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during his address to Congress on Tuesday night.
As markets reacted to new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, Trump defended Musk’s cost-cutting initiative, calling it a crucial step in reducing federal spending.
Trump applauds Musk’s efforts
Trump highlighted the importance of Musk’s work with DOGE stating the billionaire performed this service because it supported the country regardless of his voluntary commitment. During his speech to Congress he praised Musk for his outstanding job performance and hinted that Democratic opponents secretly shared his sentiment though publicly they remained against his actions.
Across the chamber, Democratic lawmakers had invited military veterans and former federal employees who lost their jobs due to DOGE’s actions. Some held protest signs with messages such as “False” and “Protect Veterans,” highlighting their concerns over the impact of the cuts.
DOGE deletes Billions in claimed savings
DOGE has removed or altered a significant portion of its previously reported savings. Late Sunday, the organization deleted or revised details on more than 1,000 contracts, reducing its total savings estimate from $16 billion to less than $9 billion.
DOGE had taken credit for several high-profile contract cancellations, among those removed. In November, a $1.9 billion IRS technology services contract had already been canceled under the Biden administration. A $149 million contract for three administrative assistants at the Department of Health and Human Services was a miscalculated figure linked to an entirely different agreement. Another $133 million in supposed savings came from a USAID contract in Libya that had already ended the previous year.
Despite these revisions, errors continue to appear. As of Monday, DOGE’s website still listed a $106 million savings from two Coast Guard contracts, but federal records showed those contracts had expired in 2005 and 2006.
Accuracy of DOGE’s reports under scrutiny
DOGE initially launched a “wall of receipts” to display canceled contracts and showcase its reported taxpayer savings. However, ongoing deletions and corrections have raised concerns about the reliability of its figures.
Following media reports highlighting inaccuracies, DOGE updated its website with a disclaimer stating that all numbers come from agency contracting officials. However, this update does not explain why many claims have been removed or corrected.
While DOGE continues adding newly canceled contracts, the estimate of the total savings keeps shrinking as the replacements involve more diminutive amounts. Budget and contracting experts have expressed concerns over the group’s repeated errors, questioning its credibility and effectiveness.