Elon Musk Revises DOGE Budget Cut Goal from $2 Trillion to $1 Trillion, Citing Best-Case Outcome

Jan 9, 2025, 12:35 PM

Elon Musk, co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has backtracked on his earlier claim that the group could find $2 trillion in federal budget cuts from the $6.8 trillion federal budget. In a recent interview with Mark Penn, Musk described the $2 trillion target as a 'best-case outcome,' suggesting that achieving half that amount, or $1 trillion, might be more realistic. This adjustment comes after Musk had previously stated at a rally for President-elect Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden that he could cut at least $2 trillion from the federal budget. The DOGE, an advisory body without official authority, established by Trump in reference to an internet meme, aims to recommend ways to reduce federal spending and improve government efficiency. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the other co-head of DOGE, are currently hiring for various positions to support their cost-cutting efforts, with plans to make recommendations after Trump is sworn in for his second term.