Musk's budget cuts save $160B, cost taxpayers $135B
The Department of Government Efficiency in the USA, led by Elon Musk, claims to have saved $160 billion through budget cuts. However, analysis cited by CBS News suggests that these budget cuts simultaneously generated costs for American taxpayers amounting to $135 billion.
Although it is only a matter of time before Elon Musk steps down from chairing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), it is already known that his department, which he stated was focused on eliminating waste and fraud in government spending, saved $160 billion. Nevertheless, this is significantly less than Musk promised during the election campaign, where he placed emphasis on Donald Trump.
USA: Musk's department generated billion-dollar costs
However, according to an analysis conducted by the non-profit organization Partnership for Public Service, these actions may cost taxpayers $135 billion in the current fiscal year. It was noted that this does not include the defense costs against numerous lawsuits challenging the actions of DOGE.
It is important to recall that Musk's department, along with Trump, influenced and led to the resignation of some federal agency employees in the initial weeks of the new administration. Despite laying off 24,000 people from 18 agencies, mostly those on probation, a court ruled in March that they must return to work.
Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, emphasizes that the actions of the Musk-led department, instead of eliminating the waste of public funds, generate additional costs. "It was an effort created to address waste, but we have seen the opposite. Ultimately, society will have to pay for it," commented Stier to cbsnews.com.
The White House has already responded to the analysis, criticizing its conclusions that undermine DOGE's actions. Once again, the media revealing this information came under scrutiny. "The American public supports the president's mission and will not be misled by the lies of traditional media," said Harrison Fields, Deputy Press Secretary at the White House.
The Department of Government Efficiency plans further cuts, which are expected to bring an additional $38 billion in savings over a decade. However, experts warn that the reductions could affect the funding of scientific and health research, potentially resulting in economic losses. Musk stated on Tuesday that he would limit his work with DOGE starting in May. He assured that until the end of Trump's term, he intends to continue working towards the elimination of public fund waste, but no longer as the head of the department.
