Patrick Boyle On Finance Elon Musk Admits DOGE Was a Failure!
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Dec 16, 2025 Elon Musk's candid reflections reveal the chaos behind DOGE's promise of $2 trillion in savings. What started as the 'Manhattan Project of our time' fizzled into a literal black eye and administrative turmoil. From IRS meltdowns to creative accounting on the 'Wall of Receipts', the pitfalls of trying to inject business efficiency into government emerged. Unexpected personnel mistakes and the lack of concrete savings left taxpayers footing a $135 billion bill. As spending surged, the supposed fiscal revolution turned out to be an elaborate meme.
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Big Promises, Small Implementation
- Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began with grandiose promises and media spectacle but lacked realistic implementation plans.
- The project's rhetoric outpaced legal authority and operational capability, turning a bold promise into symbolic theater.
Treasury Data Contradicted The Claims
- Daily Treasury Statements showed no drop in federal outlays despite DOGE's claims of massive savings.
- Aggregate cash flows rose, indicating claimed cuts did not translate into actual spending reductions.
Creative Accounting Inflated Savings
- DOGE counted procurement ceiling values and indefinite delivery contracts as 'savings', inflating headline numbers.
- This method turned theoretical limits into bogus budget wins without real cash reductions.