Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently shared insights into their efforts to reduce waste in government spending. In an exclusive interview with Bret Baier, the executive editor of ‘Special Report,’ Musk discussed how they are tackling the issue of government inefficiency.
During a hearing, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico, criticized the Trump administration’s approach to selling federal real estate. She described it as a "fire sale," suggesting that it was a reckless way to cut costs. Stansbury expressed concern that the administration was stripping the government for parts to finance tax cuts.
DOGE is working with the General Services Administration (GSA) to streamline its operations and cut unnecessary costs. According to GSA, their efforts have already saved taxpayers nearly $400 million by terminating leases and reducing office space. This includes the termination of around 700 leases, which amounts to 7.9 million square feet of federal office space.
John Hart, CEO of Open the Books, testified that significant savings could come from not renewing leases on government buildings set to expire in 2027. He estimated that up to $1 billion could be saved on furniture alone.
However, not everyone is on board with DOGE’s initiatives. Critics, including Stansbury, argue that the program serves the interests of billionaires like Musk, who are pushing for privatization of public services. Stansbury claimed that Musk has secured new contracts with the federal government, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Musk’s team has claimed that their efforts have saved Americans around $140 billion, which translates to about $870 per taxpayer. As they continue to work on reducing waste, the debate over the balance between efficiency and public service continues to unfold.