Unclear and conflicting accounts regarding the duration of Elon Musk’s involvement with DOGE have reignited discussions about his role in government and the speculated $5,000 “DOGE dividend” checks for taxpayers.
At a political rally on March 30, Musk stated that neither he nor President Donald Trump could independently authorize the distribution of these checks.
“The decision really lies with Congress, and perhaps the president, regarding whether specific checks will be issued,” Musk mentioned.
Speculation regarding Musk’s political future surged last week, partly fueled by Trump’s comments about Musk needing to return to managing his various businesses. Rumors of Musk’s potential ousting started circulating, although the White House later refuted that notion.
Here’s the latest update on DOGE and its financial implications.
Will we receive DOGE stimulus checks?
The likelihood seems to be diminishing. The concept of a $5,000 check was based on the premise that DOGE could trim $2 trillion from federal expenditures. Proposed by James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, the plan suggested that DOGE would return 20% of any savings to the 80 million taxpayer households in the U.S.
However, Musk has revised the anticipated savings target to $1 trillion, effectively halving the potential check amounts.
According to figures shared on March 30 on DOGE’s financial disclosure, a 20% “DOGE dividend” based on claimed savings would amount to about $174 per taxpayer.
Moreover, Musk emphasized that Congress would need to approve the issuance of the checks.
More: What is Donald Trump’s current approval rating? Check out the latest polls from the U.S. and Colorado.
Is Elon Musk finished with DOGE?
Musk serves as a “special government employee,” which limits his role to 130 days a year. According to the White House, he was officially appointed on February 3, which means his tenure could end as early as June 13. There is a possibility he was engaged with the government prior; since the presidential inauguration was January 20, the appointment could expire by May 30 at the earliest.
DOGE is authorized to operate until July 4, 2026, with uncertainty surrounding Musk’s potential return next year.
Vice President JD Vance stated on Fox & Friends that even without an official title, Musk would continue to serve as an advisor to the administration. Nevertheless, some political analysts argue that Musk may be seen as a political risk and might be better off remaining out of the spotlight.
Is Elon Musk in charge of DOGE?
That’s a matter of perspective. Trump has frequently referred to Musk as the leader of DOGE, attributing much of its initiatives to him.
Conversely, the Trump administration has asserted in legal contexts that Musk is neither the leader of DOGE nor an employee, describing him instead as a senior advisor devoid of decision-making power.
Instead, Amy Gleason, a former U.S. Digital Service official, was appointed as the acting DOGE administrator on February 25. Gleason, who has been a senior advisor since January, is recognized as a health technology executive, as reported by the Tennessean.
How much has DOGE saved so far?
DOGE maintains a “wall of receipts,” claiming to document its efforts in eliminating waste and fraud within federal agencies.
As of March 30, the site indicates it has secured $140 billion in savings through various means, including fraud elimination, contract cancellations, renegotiations, asset sales, grant terminations, workforce reductions, program changes, and regulatory savings.
This translates to approximately $869.57 per taxpayer, according to the website.
While the DOGE site claims to publish receipts of its budgetary achievements, many items listed are primarily contracts that have been terminated across multiple federal departments and agencies.
Additionally, reports from USA TODAY have highlighted significant inconsistencies with the savings numbers presented on the DOGE website. One example includes a claim of $881 million saved by canceling contracts with the Education Department, while the actual value was closer to $676 million. Another instance boasted an $8 billion saving, which was accurately only $8 million.
More: Where is my refund? Here’s how to track your federal and Colorado state tax refunds.
What does DOGE represent in the government?
DOGE stands for the Department of Government Efficiency, although it is not an official department. Established by Trump, it is a temporary service authorized to operate until July 4, 2026.
The mission of DOGE is to reduce spending and regulations to streamline the federal government and minimize its size.
The name DOGE is also a nod to dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that Musk has supported for several years.
Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network.
This article was originally published by Fort Collins Coloradoan: Is Elon Musk finished with DOGE? What implications does that have for stimulus checks?
