TLDR
- Elon Musk proposes $2 trillion cut from federal spending through new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Announcement made at Trump rally at Madison Square Garden
- Current federal spending for FY2024 is $6.75 trillion
- Musk agreed to lead government efficiency commission under potential Trump administration
- Daily $1 million giveaway launched by Musk for swing-state petition signers
Elon Musk unveiled an ambitious plan to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion through a proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
The Tesla CEO’s announcement comes as federal spending in fiscal year 2024 reaches $6.75 trillion, according to Treasury Department data.
During the rally, Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick posed a direct question to Musk about the potential impact of DOGE on the current administration’s budget.
“When we set up DOGE, how much do you think we can rip out of this wasted $6.5 trillion Harris-Biden budget?” Musk’s response was straightforward: “I think we can do at least two trillion.”
The proposed cuts would represent nearly 30% of current federal spending. Musk explained his reasoning to the crowd, focusing on the connection between government spending and taxation.
“At the end of the day, you’re being taxed… all government spending is taxation, whether it’s direct taxation or indirect through inflation,” he said.
The billionaire entrepreneur has accepted a position to lead a government efficiency commission under a potential Trump administration.
This commission, nicknamed DOGE, would be tasked with conducting detailed financial and performance audits of federal government operations.
In recent months, Musk has repeatedly expressed concerns about U.S. government spending patterns.
He has pointed to the growing national debt as a pressing issue, noting that interest payments now exceed the defense budget. These factors, according to Musk, put the country on what he calls a “fast track to bankruptcy.”
The proposed role would put Musk in an interesting position, as he would potentially influence agencies that oversee his own companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.
This dual role has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, though these have not been officially addressed.
Musk’s involvement in political activities has increased recently. He has shown growing support for Trump through campaign donations and public appearances.
His latest initiative involves a daily $1 million giveaway, aimed at encouraging residents in swing states to sign an “America PAC” petition.
This giveaway program promotes government reform and awareness of national issues. However, it has caught the attention of the Justice Department, which is reviewing the initiative for possible legal violations. Despite this scrutiny, Musk continues to distribute the daily prizes as planned.
During the rally, Musk outlined his vision for the impact of these proposed cuts.
“We’re going to get the government off your back and out of your pocketbook,” he told the crowd.
He expressed optimism about the future, stating,
“America is going to reach heights that it has never seen before. The future is going to be amazing.”
The Treasury Department’s latest figures show current federal expenditure at $6.75 trillion for fiscal year 2024. The proposed $2 trillion reduction would represent the largest single spending cut in U.S. government history if implemented.
Musk’s plan centers on identifying and eliminating what he terms “wasteful spending” across federal agencies.
The DOGE commission would conduct agency-by-agency reviews to identify areas for potential cost savings and efficiency improvements.
The proposal has drawn attention from both supporters and critics within government circles. Supporters point to the need for fiscal responsibility, while critics question the feasibility of such large-scale cuts without impacting essential services.
The announcement comes at a time when federal spending and national debt have reached historic levels. Interest payments on the national debt have grown to exceed traditional major budget items like defense spending.
Musk emphasized the connection between government spending and individual taxpayers throughout his presentation. He argued that all government spending ultimately affects citizens through either direct taxation or inflation.
The daily giveaway program, despite legal scrutiny, continues to operate. The initiative offers $1 million daily prizes to individuals who sign the America PAC petition, focusing particularly on residents in swing states.
If implemented, the DOGE commission would represent one of the most extensive government efficiency efforts in recent history.
The proposed $2 trillion reduction target would require comprehensive reviews of federal programs and spending across all departments.
The Treasury Department confirms current federal spending levels at $6.75 trillion for fiscal year 2024, providing context for the scale of Musk’s proposed cuts.
