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Musk's DOGE Claims $2 Trillion in Savings, Only Cuts $200 Billion

3/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, claimed it could save $2 trillion from the U.S. federal budget but achieved only $200 billion in cuts.
A recent lawsuit alleges DOGE used artificial intelligence to cancel over $100 million in diversity grants, raising concerns about the impact on federal services.
Despite cutting 9% of its workforce, overall government spending rose nearly 6% to $7.558 trillion.
Experts warn the layoffs could cause revenue losses and inefficiencies and call for rehiring essential positions to maintain government functionality.

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Story summary

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, claimed it could save $2 trillion from the U.S. federal budget but achieved only $200 billion in cuts.
A recent lawsuit alleges DOGE used artificial intelligence to cancel over $100 million in diversity grants, raising concerns about the impact on federal services.
Despite cutting 9% of its workforce, overall government spending rose nearly 6% to $7.558 trillion.
Experts warn the layoffs could cause revenue losses and inefficiencies and call for rehiring essential positions to maintain government functionality.