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Musk Predicts DOGE Could Cut $150 Billion in Waste and Fraud

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Musk Calls Government 'Target-Rich Environment,' Says DOGE Could Slash $150B in Waste and Fraud



By United State News 

WASHINGTON — Elon Musk announced Thursday that the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) expects to save the federal government $150 billion in the 2026 fiscal year by cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse across federal agencies.

Speaking at President Donald Trump’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Musk outlined DOGE’s early projections and highlighted the department’s mission to streamline operations across the sprawling federal bureaucracy. DOGE, which was established earlier this year with Musk’s backing and Trump’s endorsement, is tasked with conducting comprehensive audits and deploying AI-driven systems to identify inefficiencies.

“I’m excited to announce that we anticipate savings in FY26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion,” Musk said at the White House on April 10. “It’s as the military would say, a target-rich environment.”

The figure represents the first official savings estimate released by DOGE. It follows Musk’s earlier prediction in March that the department could uncover as much as $1 trillion in waste over time. While that trillion-dollar figure remains a long-term goal, Musk said Thursday that the early results are “promising” and reflect “only the low-hanging fruit.”

“We’re still at the beginning,” he said. “Much of this is just common sense—duplicated efforts, unused assets, fraud that nobody was looking for. The government is a massive machine, and DOGE is about using 21st-century tools to tune it up.”

Musk’s appearance at the Cabinet meeting comes as Trump intensifies efforts to campaign on fiscal responsibility ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The creation of DOGE has become a political rallying point, with supporters praising it as a bold move to bring Silicon Valley-style innovation to Washington, while critics warn of overreach and potential conflicts of interest.

Despite skepticism from some lawmakers and watchdog groups, Musk insisted that DOGE operates independently and is “data-driven, not political.”

“We’re not here to point fingers—we’re here to fix things,” he said. “If a program is working, great. If not, we’ll find out why and either fix it or stop funding it.”

According to Musk, DOGE is currently conducting audits across ten major federal departments and expects to expand its reach by the end of 2025. The department is reportedly working with a combination of AI systems, blockchain technology for financial tracking, and whistleblower incentives to detect and prevent fraud.

The $150 billion estimate for FY26, Musk emphasized, is “just the beginning.”

“If we can keep scaling this, we’re talking about the potential to truly transform how the government works—faster, cheaper, and more accountable to the American people,” he said.


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