DOGE's Reported Savings:
- DOGE claims to have saved $170 billion in federal spending as of May 2025.
- This figure represents 17% of their $1 trillion goal, or 8.5% of Musk's "best-case" $2 trillion savings target.
- The largest single cut listed on DOGE's site is $3.3 billion from the Department of the Interior, related to a canceled program.
- Another significant cut was over $3 billion from the Department of Homeland Security.
- Beyond the top cuts, most individual savings listed are below $1 billion.
Important Considerations and Criticisms:
- Overstated Savings: There have been criticisms regarding the accuracy of DOGE's reported savings. Some contracts listed as savings were already canceled before DOGE's involvement. There have also been instances of incorrect figures, such as an $8 million saving being recorded as $8 billion.
- Questionable "Savings": Some of the listed "savings" are not actual cuts but rather cancellations of contracts that were never fully executed, according to an NPR analysis. This means the government wasn't actually spending the full contract value.
- Impact of Cuts: An analysis by CBS News suggests that while DOGE claims $160 billion in savings, these cuts could potentially cost taxpayers $135 billion. This analysis takes into account potential losses in tax revenue due to workforce reductions and the economic impact of reduced funding for health and science research.
In summary: DOGE claims to have saved $170 billion in federal spending. However, it's crucial to consider that these figures may be overstated and that the actual savings, as well as the broader economic impact of these cuts, are subjects of ongoing debate and scrutiny.
