The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Musk Pulls the Carpet Out from Under DOGE || Peter Zeihan
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Jun 17, 2025 Elon Musk's fall from grace shakes the foundation of the Department of Governmental Efficiency. The tumultuous relationship between Musk and former President Trump sparks a deeper discussion on federal budget cuts. Listeners dive into the challenges of implementing financial reforms and the impact of these changes on government operations. As the situation unfolds, the complexities of federal spending come to light, raising questions about the future of efficiency in public sectors.
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DOGE Leadership Collapse
- The Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) has largely collapsed following Elon Musk's fallout with President Trump.
- Most DOGE members were Musk loyalists now being removed, leading to organizational instability.
DOGE's Budget Cuts Undermined
- Budget cuts promised by DOGE under Musk fell drastically from $2 trillion to around $20-$180 billion.
- Legal and legislative constraints forced rehiring, which eroded significant potential savings.
Rising U.S. Federal Deficit
- The pending mega bill in Congress will increase the US federal deficit by over $2 trillion in four years.
- Trump administration proposals could push annual deficits closer to a trillion dollars, far exceeding past targets.