DOGE Claims $105 Billion in Savings, but Backtracks on Earlier Figures Amid Scrutiny

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has released its third weekly update, claiming a staggering $105 billion in federal savings. However, the figure remains unverifiable due to limited documentation, and the agency has backtracked on several of its earlier claims, raising questions about the accuracy of its reporting.

In its latest update, DOGE reported that the $105 billion in savings comes from a combination of asset sales, contract cancellations, fraud prevention, grant terminations, and workforce reductions. Yet, the agency has only provided receipts for a fraction of this amount, leaving the total figure open to scrutiny.

Unverifiable Claims and Backtracking

DOGE’s “Wall of Receipts” now lists 2,334 canceled contracts, amounting to $.Thisisactuallylowerthanthe$9.6 billion claimed last week, highlighting the challenges in verifying the agency’s figures. Additionally, DOGE has removed or revised several high-value contracts previously listed as savings, further complicating the picture.

One notable example is a $1.9 billion IRS contract for IT strategy and modernization, which DOGE initially claimed to have canceled. However, the vendor, Centennial Technologies, clarified that the contract was terminated last fall under the Biden administration, prompting DOGE to remove it from its list.

Similarly, DOGE revised an $contractdownto$8 million after the vendor explained that the original figure was likely a clerical error. Another removed contract was a $150 million USAID agreement under the Asia Futures Activity initiative, aimed at addressing economic growth and resilience in Asia. The Cadmus Group, the vendor for this contract, did not respond to requests for comment.

Grant Terminations and Real Estate Savings

For the first time, DOGE has listed terminated federal grants, totaling $.Themajority\; ofthese\; savings\; comefromUSAID($8.7 billion), followed by the State Department ($1.1billion),theEducationDepartment($472 million), and the EPA ($61 million). However, DOGE has not provided details on the purpose or name of these grants, making it difficult to assess their impact.

The agency also updated its list of terminated real estate leases, claiming $.While$143 million of these leases are under the General Services Administration (GSA), the remaining $516 million lack information about the associated agencies, further obscuring the transparency of these savings.

Challenges in Calculating Savings

A significant portion of the contracts listed by DOGE—over 940—have already been fully delivered, meaning their termination will not result in actual savings. A White House official explained that DOGE uses a conservative methodology, subtracting obligated dollars from contract ceilings to calculate savings. However, this approach often overestimates savings, as ceiling amounts are typically much higher than actual expenditures.

Mixed Reactions and Ongoing Scrutiny

DOGE’s claims have drawn mixed reactions, with some praising the agency’s efforts to cut waste and others questioning the validity of its figures. Critics argue that the lack of transparency undermines the credibility of the savings claims, while supporters highlight the potential for significant cost reductions in federal spending.

As DOGE continues to update its website, the agency faces mounting pressure to provide more detailed documentation and clarify its methodology. With billions of dollars in claimed savings at stake, the accuracy and transparency of DOGE’s reporting will remain under close scrutiny.

What’s Next for DOGE?

DOGE initially promised to update its website twice a week but has so far only provided weekly updates. As the agency works to refine its data and address criticisms, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether its ambitious savings claims hold up to scrutiny.

For now, the $105 billion figure remains a bold assertion—one that underscores the challenges of balancing efficiency with accountability in government spending.

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