We Asked Grok To Summarise Musk's Achievements As DOGE Leader. The Final Note Left Us In Splits
Elon Musk’s DOGE tenure achieved some tangible results, but fell far short of the $1 trillion goal.
Elon Musk’s tenure as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, which ended in May 2025, was marked by ambitious goals, significant controversy, and mixed results. Appointed in January 2025 as a Special Government Employee, Musk aimed to slash federal spending by up to $1 trillion, streamline bureaucracy, and modernise government operations.
We at ABP Live asked his xAI chatbot, Grok, to list Musk's achievements based on his accomplishments as the DOGE leader. Here's what it came up with:
"Below is a summary of his key achievements, based on available information, alongside the challenges and criticisms that shaped his legacy:
Achievements
Claimed Budget Savings: Musk reported that DOGE achieved approximately $160 billion in savings, primarily through terminating wasteful contracts (e.g., $255 million from 269 contracts) and reducing federal spending. Notable cuts included $3.3 billion from a Department of the Interior program for the Office of Refugee Resettlement and $3 billion from Department of Homeland Security facilities. DOGE also deactivated half a million federal credit cards to curb discretionary spending.
IT Modernisation: Musk’s team advanced efforts to digitise outdated government systems, such as modernising the Office of Personnel Management’s retirement process, aiming to improve efficiency in federal operations.
Fraud Referrals: DOGE referred 57 cases of alleged fraud to the Department of Justice, collaborating to identify misuse of government funds, though the outcomes of these referrals remain unclear.
Workforce Reduction and Software Tools: DOGE facilitated significant staff reductions, with reports of 20,000 federal firings. Additionally, Musk’s team developed tools like the “Workforce Reshaping Tool” (formerly AutoRIF) to automate and accelerate job cuts, particularly at agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, which planned to eliminate 80,000 positions.
Embedding DOGE’s Mission: Despite Musk’s departure, DOGE’s cost-cutting framework was integrated into federal agencies, with personnel placed in key positions to continue the initiative. The White House emphasised that DOGE’s mission to cut waste, fraud, and abuse would persist under new leadership, such as Russell Vought.
Challenges and Criticisms
Inflated Savings Claims: Experts and media outlets questioned the accuracy of DOGE’s reported savings, noting issues like double-counting canceled contracts and failing to account for revived contracts. A New York Times analysis found that at least 44 contracts, worth over $220 million, were reinstated, undermining Musk’s $160 billion savings claim. The Partnership for Public Service estimated that DOGE’s chaotic approach could cost $135 billion in lost productivity and rehiring expenses.
Service Degradation: Critics, including government operations experts, argued that DOGE’s aggressive cuts harmed essential services. For instance, slashing the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Education, and the IRS led to reduced government functionality without improving service quality. The termination of programs like Direct File, a free tax-filing system, was cited as a setback for public efficiency.
Legal and Ethical Concerns: Musk’s role raised significant issues, with 14 states suing him and DOGE for allegedly violating the Constitution due to his lack of Senate confirmation and unauthorised access to sensitive data. Reports also highlighted potential conflicts of interest, as DOGE used Musk’s xAI chatbot, Grok, to analyse sensitive government data, raising privacy and security concerns.
Resistance and Political Backlash: Musk faced pushback from Cabinet members (e.g., Secretary of State Marco Rubio) and civil servants who resisted DOGE’s directives, viewing them as disruptive. Public disapproval was high, with polls showing 58% disapproval of Musk’s DOGE work. His aggressive approach, symbolised by wielding a chainsaw, alienated some Republicans and prompted President Trump to distance himself, favoring a “scalpel” over a “hatchet.”
Limited Long-Term Impact: Analysts noted that many of DOGE’s cuts were vulnerable to being overturned by Congress or future administrations, and the initiative’s focus on rapid job cuts over systemic efficiency improvements drew criticism. Senate Democrats reported that fired inspectors general had identified more potential savings than DOGE, highlighting its inefficiencies.
Note: The savings figures and achievements cited are based on Musk’s claims and DOGE’s reports, which have been widely disputed for inaccuracies and lack of transparency. Always consider the potential for exaggeration in such claims, especially given the lack of independent verification."
Grok is famous for its unhinged, unfiltered responses, but the note at the bottom was just a cherry on top for any Musk sceptics out there.
Why Did Musk Quit?
Musk stepped back from DOGE in May 2025, citing the end of his scheduled time as a Special Government Employee (limited to 180 days) and the need to focus on his businesses, particularly Tesla, amid investor concerns and reputational damage.
His departure followed legal challenges, internal administration tensions, and a Wisconsin special election loss that underscored public discontent. While Musk claimed DOGE’s mission would continue as a “way of life” in government, his personal influence waned, with Russell Vought tapped to lead DOGE forward.
Musk's DOGE Report Card
Elon Musk’s DOGE tenure achieved some tangible results, such as $160 billion in reported savings and IT modernisation efforts, but fell far short of the $1 trillion goal. His aggressive, business-like approach disrupted federal operations but was marred by inaccurate savings estimates, service disruptions, and legal controversies. While DOGE’s framework persists, its long-term efficacy remains uncertain, and Musk’s legacy is one of bold ambition tempered by chaos and contested outcomes.
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