The US Government Efficiency Bureau said it saved a total of $55 billion in federal spending, while the media pointed out that canceling a contract that would have saved $8 billion was actually only $8 million.
Billionaire Elon Musk (right) and President Donald Trump
The US government's cost-cutting effort led by tech billionaire Elon Musk has so far slashed hundreds of relatively small contracts, reportedly saving taxpayers $8.5 billion, a fraction of what the US government pays contractors each year.
Most of the contracts targeted by Musk's Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE) resulted in average savings of about $7.7 million per contract, according to a Reuters analysis of partial data released by Musk's team.
These cuts are largely focused on relatively low-cost support services, including computer systems and workforce training.
On its website, DOGE said on February 19 that it has saved a total of $55 billion in federal spending since President Donald Trump took office on January 20, through canceling contracts, laying off employees, and selling assets.
The data shows progress toward Mr. Musk’s goal of cutting $1.1 trillion in federal spending.
The data release comes after widespread skepticism about claims by Mr Musk and Mr Trump that cost-cutting efforts have yielded significant savings.
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Say saving 8 billion USD, in reality only 8 million USD?
On February 17, DOGE's website published a list of contracts that the government had canceled, representing a savings of about $16 billion.
Notably, there was an $8 billion canceled contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to The New York Times , a review of federal databases shows that a recent version of the contract showed a value of just $8 million.
DOGE website displayed $8 billion, but was later taken down
Screenshot The New York Times
The "$8 billion" contract was signed by ICE with D&G Support Services, Inc., to provide "program services and technical support to the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights at ICE.
The spending savings posted on the website, which totals $55 billion, also lack specific documentation. A DOGE spokesperson did not respond to a request for an explanation of the agency’s accounting practices.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dat-muc-tieu-khung-doge-cua-ti-phu-musk-da-giup-tiet-kiem-bao-nhieu-tien-185250220161724289.htm
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