As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.
Elon Musk
The recent layoff of 6,000 employees was due to reorganisation rather than performance issues.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Key Facts
- Elon Musk initially promised $2 trillion in annual government savings through DOGE, but later reduced this target to $1 trillion by January and then to $150 billion by the end of the 2026 financial year.
- Despite Musk's promises, overall government spending increased by $190 billion during Trump's presidency compared to the previous year.
- DOGE led to over 60,000 government employee layoffs and caused $1 billion cuts in Department of Agriculture local food grants, resulting in shortages in school nutrition programs and food banks.
- Elon Musk concluded his White House advisory role and shifted focus back to Tesla and SpaceX, expressing gratitude to President Trump for the opportunity to lead DOGE.
- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella clarified that the layoffs of 6,000 employees were due to reorganisation and unrelated to Musk's government role.
- Trump praised Musk during a gathering, expressing a desire for Congress to codify DOGE cuts and suggesting Musk's team had found additional undisclosed waste.
Key Stats at a Glance
Initial government savings promise by Elon Musk
$2tn
Revised government savings promise by January
$1tn
Latest government savings promise by end of 2026 financial year
$150bn
Increase in overall government spending during Trump's presidency
$190bn
Number of government employee layoffs due to DOGE
60000 employees
Cuts in Department of Agriculture local food grants
$1bn
Number of Microsoft employees laid off due to reorganisation
6000 employees