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Musk's Federal Spending Cuts Fail Amid Rising Budget

1/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Elon Musk's efforts to reduce federal spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have not yielded results.
A CATO Institute report shows a near 6% increase in 2025 federal spending, to $7.6 trillion.
Despite a 10% reduction in the government workforce, savings have not materialized.
The report notes most federal expenditures are transfer payments.
Critics view Musk's business approach as ineffective in government.

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Story summary

Elon Musk's efforts to reduce federal spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have not yielded results.
A CATO Institute report shows a near 6% increase in 2025 federal spending, to $7.6 trillion.
Despite a 10% reduction in the government workforce, savings have not materialized.
The report notes most federal expenditures are transfer payments.
Critics view Musk's business approach as ineffective in government.