Elon Musk’s DOGE savings claims exposed? GAO finds $110B figure had major errors
GAO Report Reveals Flaws in Elon Musk s DOGE Savings
Bharatmorningnews.com – A comprehensive review by the US Government Accountability Office has uncovered significant problems with Elon Musk s DOGE savings claims. The watchdog agency found that the Department of Government Efficiency's assertion of $110 billion in taxpayer savings contained major errors and lacked proper documentation for many entries.
The investigation, reported by ABC News, revealed that DOGE could only verify 4 percent of the savings it claimed from canceled grants. This means 96 percent of those savings lacked sufficient confirmation. The oversight body also discovered inconsistencies in how the department calculated figures displayed on its public tracking platform.
Documentation and Calculation Problems
Created under President Donald Trump's second term, DOGE sought to cut federal spending and identify wasteful programs. The department launched a website to track its progress, which became central to its public messaging about efficiency gains.
The GAO labeled the reported savings as unreliable, citing missing information, mathematical errors, and unverified claims. Several billion dollars in savings were attributed to contracts that never actually took place.
"Because US DOGE Service officials did not respond to requests for information, GAO could not determine the reasons why DOGE did not disclose data quality issues and limitations when the website first went live or at any time since then," the report stated.
Specific problems included $27.4 billion in savings linked to unexecuted contracts and $7.2 billion without adequate identifying details. One case involved a $1.7 billion IT services deal for the Defense Health Agency that DOGE counted as savings despite no contract changes.
The agency also found that DOGE included savings from federal leases that were already scheduled for termination before being listed as new cost reductions.
DOGE's Legacy and Musk's Growing Fortune
While DOGE officially ended on July 4, 2026, its tracking website remains active and now claims roughly $215 billion in total savings. Musk stepped away from the initiative after its initial phase, and neither he nor the White House provided immediate comments on the findings.
The GAO report comes as Elon Musk s DOGE savings controversy coincides with his personal wealth reaching new heights. Forbes reported that Musk's net worth exceeded $800 billion on Friday after SpaceX stock climbed 11.7 percent to its highest level in three weeks. His estimated fortune reached approximately $802 billion.
This wealth increase followed SpaceX's latest earnings report, which showed quarterly revenue of $7.8 billion against Wall Street expectations of $6.9 billion. The aerospace company also reduced quarterly losses from $1 billion to $541 million.
Forbes noted that Musk owns about 38 percent of SpaceX, making his financial position closely tied to the company's valuation performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the GAO find wrong with DOGE's savings claims? The Government Accountability Office discovered that 96 percent of DOGE's claimed savings from canceled grants lacked proper verification. The agency also found calculation errors, missing documentation, and savings attributed to contracts that never materialized.
How much money was affected by these errors? Of the $110 billion total, $27.4 billion came from unexecuted contracts and $7.2 billion lacked adequate identifying information. One example was a $1.7 billion IT services agreement counted as savings despite no modifications.
What is DOGE's current savings total? Although DOGE concluded operations on July 4, 2026, its Wall of Receipts website now claims approximately $215 billion in taxpayer savings, according to ABC News.
How much is Elon Musk worth now? Forbes reported that Musk's net worth surpassed $800 billion, reaching an estimated $802 billion after SpaceX shares rose 11.7 percent. He holds roughly 38 percent of SpaceX.