Morning Wire The DOGE Data: Musk Slashes Billions in Government Waste | 3.15.25
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Mar 15, 2025 
Eric Eggers, Vice President of the Government Accountability Institute and co-host of The Drill Down podcast, dives into the significant financial cuts initiated by Elon Musk. He discusses how the DOGE initiative is streamlining federal spending, spotlighting substantial reductions in USAID and bloated real estate leases. The episode also critiques the role of social media in enhancing governmental transparency and examines the political implications of proposed IRS staff cuts. Eggers emphasizes the delicate balance of fiscal responsibility in today's political landscape.
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Wasteful Spending Examples
- DOGE identified over $100B in potential cuts, including wasteful software licenses.
- One example is the GSA having 37,000 WinZip licenses for 13,000 employees.
Shifting Budget Conversations
- DOGE's success lies in changing the conversation around federal budgeting.
- Cutting spending has become a focal point, unlike Romney's similar 2012 campaign.
Transparency and Social Media's Impact
- Trump administration's transparency and Musk's use of X (formerly Twitter) have bypassed legacy media.
- This allows direct communication with the public, exposing previously hidden government information.