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Elon Musk Advocates $500 Billion Cuts to Social Security Through Trump's Efficiency Initiative

Musk's Department of Government Efficiency faces pushback over plans to reduce federal spending while expanding its workforce.

Elon Musk flashes his t-shirt that reads "DOGE" to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
While the bot has been in the works for months, DOGE has greatly accelerated its deployment, sources told Wired.
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Overview

  • Elon Musk, senior advisor to President Trump, has proposed cutting $500 billion annually from Social Security and Medicare, calling entitlement programs the largest source of federal waste.
  • The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, plans to double its workforce from 100 to 200 employees while expanding its presence across nearly all federal agencies.
  • Musk's claims of widespread fraud in Social Security have been debunked, with official reports showing improper payments at less than 1%, contradicting his 10% assertion.
  • DOGE's cost-cutting measures, including mass layoffs and contract cancellations, have sparked tensions within the Trump Cabinet and prompted legal challenges over its authority.
  • Musk has admitted that his role in DOGE is straining his businesses, with Tesla's stock dropping 15% and reports of vandalism targeting Tesla facilities.