In an unprecedented move to streamline government spending, Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sat down for an exclusive interview with Special Report on Thursday, offering a rare glimpse into their aggressive cost-cutting measures.

"We aim to eliminate waste, fraud, and inefficiencies to reduce government spending by 15%, which is absolutely achievable," Musk told Special Report executive editor Bret Baier.

Since being tasked by President Donald Trump to overhaul federal operations, DOGE has already identified $130 billion in savings, translating to $807.45 per taxpayer—a staggering sum that could redefine the future of U.S. governance.

Inside the DOGE Mission: A Breakdown of Cost-Cutting Measures

Musk, alongside key DOGE members Steve Davis, Joe Gebbia, Aram Moghaddassi, Brad Smith, Anthony Armstrong, Tom Krause, and Tyler Hassen, detailed their findings across various federal departments, from the IRS to Social Security Administration.

"This is a revolution in governance," Musk emphasized. "I genuinely believe this could be the most significant transformation since America’s founding."

Among the major cost-cutting initiatives already executed:

Cancellation of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs across federal agencies
Termination of redundant consulting contracts
Elimination of leases for underutilized federal buildings
Consolidation of overlapping government agencies

These moves alone have freed up billions of dollars that can be redirected toward vital national priorities.

Exposing the Government’s Financial Mismanagement

One of DOGE’s most eye-opening revelations involves the federal government’s mismanagement of credit cards.

"There are 4.6 million government-issued credit cards, yet only 2.3 to 2.4 million federal employees," explained DOGE executive Steve Davis. "That doesn’t add up. We’ve been working across agencies to determine how many of these cards are truly needed, where they are, and how they’re being used."

Musk added: "Obviously, there shouldn’t be more credit cards than people."

This discovery alone could result in billions in savings, highlighting the unchecked waste within federal financial systems.

The DOGE Strategy: Precision Over Politics

Despite fierce criticism from political opponents, Musk insists that DOGE’s approach is methodical and data-driven.

"They accuse us of acting recklessly, but the reality is we ‘measure twice—if not thrice—before we cut once,’" he explained. "And yes, mistakes can happen, but our priority is correcting them fast and moving forward."

Musk further challenged critics: "They claim what we're doing is unconstitutional or illegal, yet they never attack specific savings. When we ask, 'Which cost-cutting measure do you disagree with?'—they have no answer."

DOGE remains in close coordination with Congress, ensuring that cost reductions adhere to legal frameworks while eliminating fraud and waste.

A Political Battleground: Supporters vs. Skeptics

Unsurprisingly, DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting approach has sparked a sharp political divide.

Republican lawmakers have embraced DOGE's mission, praising the team's efficiency in eliminating waste without cutting essential services.
Democrats and critics, on the other hand, argue that the department wields too much authority over federal agencies, with some questioning Musk's direct influence over government finances.

Despite the controversy, polls indicate that a majority of American taxpayers favor efforts to cut government waste, even as concerns linger about DOGE’s unprecedented access to federal operations.

What’s Next? The Road to $500 Billion in Savings

With an 18-month deadline to transform government efficiency, Musk and his team are already looking ahead.

"We believe there’s at least another $370 billion in waste that can be eliminated, bringing total savings to $500 billion over time," Musk revealed.

Upcoming targets include:

Overhauling outdated computer systems that cost billions in maintenance
Streamlining federal workforce structures to prevent unnecessary spending
Enhancing fraud detection in Social Security and Medicare programs

Final Thoughts: A Historic Shift in U.S. Governance?

Whether Musk’s cost-cutting revolution will cement itself as the most significant government overhaul in modern history remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: DOGE is shaking up Washington like never before.

With $130 billion already saved and ambitious targets ahead, the next few months will determine if Musk’s vision for a leaner, more efficient government is truly achievable—or just another political experiment.

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