DOGE did not find $2T in fraud, but that doesn’t matter, Musk allies say

The effectiveness of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has come under increasing doubt, raising questions about its impact on federal spending, which was the initiative's primary objective. Just a fortnight ago, Musk himself described DOGE's achievements as merely 'a little bit successful' during a podcast, marking a rare admission that the initiative may not have met expectations. Recently, Musk revived unfounded accusations he previously made while supporting Donald Trump, claiming that government fraud remains rampant and largely unaddressed, despite DOGE's efforts. On the social media platform X, he projected that as much as 20% of the federal budget—around $1.5 trillion annually—could be lost to fraud, suggesting the figure might be even higher. Musk's tenure with DOGE ended in May after he had disputes with Trump regarding a budget bill that he believed undermined DOGE's objectives. Now, he appears to question whether his involvement in government was worthwhile. Although he previously called DOGE his 'best side quest,' he indicated in a podcast that he might not take on such a role again if given a second chance. 'I mean, no, I don’t think so,' Musk remarked, adding, 'I probably … I don’t know.' In a separate discussion, Musk reflected on the challenges of attempting to run government operations like a business, advising others to steer clear of political entanglements. While he continues to stoke concerns about fraud, his supporters in the government and tech sectors still advocate for DOGE, asserting that it is the transformative force government needs.