Musk Vows to Be ‘More Aggressive’ as Trump Calls for Increased DOGE Cuts/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump praised Elon Musk’s efforts to cut government waste through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but urged him to be “more aggressive.” Musk responded with enthusiasm, pledging to ramp up cost-cutting measures. DOGE claims $55 billion in savings through spending cuts, contract cancellations, and asset sales.
Trump and Musk’s Government Efficiency Push: Quick Looks
- Trump praises Musk’s work on DOGE but urges faster and deeper cuts
- Musk responds on X with: “Will do, Mr. President!”
- DOGE claims $55 billion saved through fraud elimination, contract cancellations, and workforce reductions
- Proposed “DOGE Dividend” could return savings to Americans as refund checks
- Democrats criticize DOGE’s aggressive approach and Musk’s involvement in federal spending decisions
- USAID targeted for cutting DEI-related initiatives, including foreign cultural programs
- DOGE faces scrutiny over access to federal financial systems and rapid cost-cutting pace
- Trump and Musk emphasize eliminating “wasteful spending” to “save the country”
Musk Vows to Be ‘More Aggressive’ as Trump Calls for Increased DOGE Cuts
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Saturday called on Elon Musk to accelerate efforts to cut federal spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), urging the billionaire entrepreneur to be “more aggressive” in slashing costs. The request, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, received an enthusiastic reply from Musk, who pledged to intensify his efforts.
“ELON IS DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE. REMEMBER, WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE, BUT ULTIMATELY, TO MAKE GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. MAGA!” Trump wrote.
Hours later, Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter), simply stating: “Will do, Mr. President!”
Established on January 20, DOGE has become a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s push to eliminate government waste, with Musk at the helm. According to the agency’s website, DOGE has saved an estimated $55 billion as of February 17. Savings have stemmed from fraud detection, contract and lease cancellations, renegotiations, asset sales, and regulatory reductions.
Focus on Controversial Cuts
Much of DOGE’s attention has centered on eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration argues divert funds from essential services. Among the canceled programs are USAID-funded DEI initiatives abroad, including $1.5 million allocated for Serbia, $70,000 for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland, and $47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Colombia.
Supporters of DOGE praise these cuts as necessary steps toward fiscal responsibility. “Taxpayers deserve a government that respects their hard-earned money,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a recent press conference.
Critics, however, argue that the cuts are politically motivated and reckless. Rep. Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) condemned the agency’s sweeping measures, saying, “It’s impossible for us to do important work when unelected billionaire Elon Musk and his lackeys are set on burning down the government.” Hoyle accused Musk of acting in his financial interest at the expense of vulnerable communities.
Potential for Direct Payouts to Americans
Amid the growing savings, some officials and business leaders are advocating for returning funds directly to the American people. James Fishback, CEO of investment firm Azoria, proposed a “DOGE Dividend” that would distribute refund checks to citizens using a portion of the saved funds.
“It was their money in the first place,” Fishback said in a letter posted on X, outlining a plan for issuing the dividend after DOGE’s scheduled expiration in July 2026. The proposal suggests that eligible Americans could receive checks funded by the cost-cutting measures, offering a tangible benefit from the initiative.
Speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Musk confirmed Trump’s support for the dividend idea, though no formal steps have been taken to implement it. “We’re exploring every way to return savings to the people,” Musk said.
Political Fallout and Future Plans
While DOGE’s reported $55 billion in savings has been celebrated by fiscal conservatives, the agency has faced pushback over its access to federal systems, including the Treasury Department’s payment platforms. Critics question the transparency of the savings calculations and the potential long-term impact of the cuts on government operations.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), a DOGE proponent, defended the initiative, calling it a “reckoning” for bloated federal agencies. “This is what accountability looks like,” Burchett said.
As DOGE moves forward, Musk’s role remains central to its aggressive approach. Known for disrupting industries through companies like Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has applied the same rapid decision-making to DOGE’s operations. His collaboration with Trump reflects a shared goal: reduce federal spending, eliminate perceived inefficiencies, and redirect resources toward what they describe as “mission-critical” priorities.
The next phase of DOGE’s work is expected to include further workforce reductions, renegotiations of major contracts, and asset sales. With Trump pressing for quicker results, Musk’s response suggests that deeper cuts are on the horizon.
Whether DOGE’s long-term legacy will be seen as a necessary financial overhaul or a politically driven slash-and-burn effort remains to be seen. For now, Musk’s directive is clear: cut costs faster, and keep the savings rolling in.
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