Tesla CEO Elon Musk is ending his involvement with a government efficiency commission he helped create during President Trump’s second term. However, this move has little to do with DOGE, the commission’s stated goal of cutting $2 trillion in federal spending over time.
DOGE aims to cut $9.3 billion in spending on USAID, PBS, NPR, and other agencies it targets. While Musk claims significant progress has been made, with $160 billion saved, budget analysts say this figure is likely much lower, around $10 billion.
The Trump administration’s resistance to DOGE’s efforts means the commission’s actions may be seen as “bark rather than bite.” The White House aims to formalize dismantling of the Agency for International Development, but only with Republican support. The proposal faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where some Republicans oppose cuts to USAID and foreign engagement.
As a result, federal agencies remain heavily pruned or underfunded, leaving questions about what happens to unspent funds. Congressional appropriations can expire or never end, potentially allowing future presidents to restore defunded agencies with existing funds. Trump may try to pass additional rescission measures if the first package passes, but this could backfire by drawing attention to DOGE’s limited powers.
Musk is shifting focus from DOGE to Tesla, but his departure comes as the commission faces an uncertain future under Trump administration resistance.
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/commentary-doge-gets-downsized-163129763.html