Is it possible for individuals to receive checks in the mail amounting to $8,000 from savings identified by the Department of Government Efficiency?
The contentious DOGE initiative, spearheaded by Elon Musk, purports to have saved the nation approximately $55 billion through significant layoffs and reductions in government spending.
Amid legal disputes, ambiguity surrounding certain layoffs, and online investigators questioning the figures claimed by DOGE, the actual savings remain somewhat unclear.
However, do these savings translate into cash for American citizens?
“I’ll consult with the President,” Musk replied on X to the head of an investment firm who suggested “a tax refund check to be sent after the conclusion of DOGE in July 2026, funded entirely with a fraction of the total savings generated by DOGE.”
If DOGE achieves its ambitious annual savings target of $2 trillion—a goal even Musk has revised—it could yield approximately a $5,000 return per household, with estimates reaching as high as $8,000 from others.
Yet, there is no guarantee that these payments will materialize, prompting backlash on social media against the proposal.
“Please explain how a ‘Doge dividend’ would contribute to reducing our deficit and national debt. It would essentially contradict the purpose of DOGE,” criticized Brian Krassenstein on X. “Instead, let’s increase taxes on corporations just a bit and utilize those funds to provide a genuine dividend that benefits the middle class.”
DOGE has sparked considerable controversy and criticism as Musk and his team promptly worked to cut costs by eliminating grants and contracts while downsizing the federal workforce, all while accessing sensitive data of American citizens.
Thousands of federal employees were dismissed within the first month of President Donald Trump’s administration.
This situation has implications beyond the national capital region, which houses about 20% of the 2.4 million civilian federal workforce members, excluding military personnel and postal workers. Over 80% of that workforce resides outside of the D.C. area.
There are no official statistics on the total number of firings or layoffs. The Associated Press compiled figures regarding agency impacts based on their reporting and comments from lawmakers and employee unions.
The White House proposed a “deferred resignation” program offering financial incentives, such as months of paid leave, to nearly all federal workers who agreed to depart by February 6.
However, just ahead of the deadline, a federal judge halted Trump’s initiative, wanting to assess arguments from the administration and labor unions that claimed the offer was unlawful.
On February 13, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the termination of over 1,000 employees who had been in service for less than two years. According to Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., this affected researchers involved in cancer treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics, and burn pit exposure.
Numerous federal employees assigned to the nation’s nuclear weapons programs were also laid off on February 13, although that decision was largely reversed within hours, as per a memo obtained by the AP. Three U.S. officials, who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation, indicated that as many as 350 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration were let go, with some losing email access before they learned of their termination.
Meanwhile, at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, established following the 2008 financial crisis and subprime mortgage-lending scandal, the administration ordered effectively shutdown.
For decades, conservatives have advocated for significant government cuts, now directed towards Musk and DOGE.
Some assert that Musk’s early actions indicate success and present greater potential than prior efforts to downsize the government due to his unique access and influence. Others claim it’s premature to assess the outcomes, arguing that DOGE has ignited conservative outrage concerning specific agencies without targeting substantial chunks of the federal budget, such as defense spending or widely-supported programs like Medicare and Social Security.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
