The Daily
DOGE Has a Math Problem
Mar 4, 2025
David A. Fahrenthold, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, dives into the controversial claims surrounding Elon Musk's DOGE project. He reveals alarming discrepancies in the purported savings from federal contracts, including a shocking typo that inflated values by billions. The conversation critiques the project's focus on minor contracts and the political motivations driving budget cuts. Fahrenthold also discusses the diminished credibility of financial claims, emphasizing the need for cautious oversight in government spending.
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Quick takeaways
- Doge’s claimed savings of $65 billion are significantly inflated, as an investigation reveals only about $16 billion in verified savings.
- The project appears to serve a politically motivated agenda against certain agencies rather than focusing on genuine waste reduction in government spending.
Deep dives
Analysis of Savings Claims
Doge, the project aimed at cutting government spending under Elon Musk's direction, claims to have achieved significant savings, totaling $65 billion. However, a detailed investigation reveals discrepancies, as the itemized 'wall of receipts' accounts for only about $16 billion, with over 400 entries showing no savings at all. Mismanagement is evident, including errors such as claiming an $8 billion cut from a contract associated with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which paradoxically represents its entire budget. The analysis underscores the need for transparency and accuracy, highlighting that many claimed savings may not exist in reality, thus raising questions about the efficacy of their approach.
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