As the second Trump administration marked its 101st day, Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reflected on the challenges and triumphs of his mission to rid the federal government of "waste, fraud, and abuse.
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Musk, who has been working tirelessly in Washington D.C. since the start of the administration, expressed his belief in the success of his team's efforts and their commitment to continue their mission.
"DOGE is a way of life, like Buddhism," Musk humorously remarked during a meeting with reporters, including those from the Daily Caller, on Wednesday. He was seated in the Roosevelt Room of the West Wing, reflecting on the accomplishments of DOGE as the Trump administration celebrated its first 100 days in office. According to the figures provided, DOGE has saved American taxpayers an impressive $160 billion, equating to a saving of approximately $1,000 per taxpayer.
The Department of Government Efficiency, under Musk's leadership, has made significant strides in curbing wasteful spending. As reported by the Daily Caller, 470,000 of the 4.6 million active U.S. government credit cards and accounts have been cancelled. Furthermore, the Social Security Administration, under DOGE's directive, has cleaned up its records, identifying 11 million number holders, all listed to be 120 years old or older, as deceased.
Musk candidly shared his initial experiences in the role, stating, "There [was] also an intense period in the beginning to try to figure out whats going on, so just to get the lay of the land, things have to be very intense for the first three months." He further explained the complexity of understanding the federal government's operations, emphasizing the need to map out the territory and understand how and where money has been spent.
Despite the demanding nature of his role at DOGE, Musk revealed plans to step back from his full-time position, citing that the program has established a rhythm and doesn't require as much attention as his other business ventures. However, he assured reporters that he would continue to work on the project for about two days each week in D.C. He even hinted at the possibility of DOGE's existence throughout the entirety of the second Trump administration, depending on President Trump's requirements.
Musk and his team are currently focused on eliminating fraud from the federal government, escalating clear-cut cases to Attorney General Pam Bondi and her team at the Department of Justice. "There are hundreds of thousands of cases of fraud in the federal government," Musk told reporters. He further explained the process of identifying and escalating cases to the DOJ, which then decides whether it has the resources to pursue the case.
Musk also expressed his belief in the existence of fraud rings within the federal government, likening the process of breaking them up to dismantling the mafia. He explained, "You have to basically arrest one of the mafia foot soldiers, hopeful that they do a plea deal, then they tell you who their fraud manager is, and you can kind of work your way up the chain."
The Federal Reserve is another potential area of interest for DOGE, as Musk expressed surprise at the department's plan to spend $2.5 billion on revamping its headquarters. "I think since at the end of the day, this is all taxpayer money, I think we would certainly look to see if indeed the Federal Reserve is spending two and a half billion dollars on their design. But thats an eyebrow raiser," Musk commented.
Despite the challenges and the doubt from outsiders, Musk remains optimistic about achieving his initial goal of saving the American people $2 trillion. He acknowledged the difficulty of the task, stating, "Its really difficult Its sort of, how much pain does the cabinet and Congress want to take because it can be done, but it requires dealing with a lot of complaints."
Musk's tenure in the administration has not been without controversy. A few weeks ago, protestors targeted Tesla chargers, cars, and a dealership, expressing their discontent with his role in the government. Despite these challenges, Musk remains proud of his team's work and their resilience in the face of criticism.
Musk's unique position as the world's richest man and a close associate of President Trump has also led to some extraordinary experiences. He shared anecdotes of impromptu stays at the White House and late-night ice cream indulgences, painting a picture of a surprisingly informal relationship with the President.
Despite the challenges and controversies, Musk's work with DOGE represents a significant step towards a more efficient and accountable federal government. His efforts align with the conservative values of limited government and fiscal responsibility, demonstrating the potential for private sector principles to drive public sector efficiency.
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