Elon Musk made these comments about DOGE's potential to reduce costs during a livestream with Mark Penn, CEO of Stagwell.
newly formed Ministry of Government Efficiency Speaking to Stagwell CEO Mark Penn on Wednesday, Elon Musk acknowledged that he may fall short of his goal of cutting $2 trillion in federal spending. The two spoke for just over 34 minutes in a live chat on X, Musk's social media platform.
“I think we're going to push for $2 trillion. I think that's the best outcome,” Musk told Penn.
South Florida real estate investors claim DOGE co-chairman Elon Musk could be considering a move to the Sunshine State. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy point to Dodge's goals
Despite his admission about the committee's purpose, Musk believes he is entering a “purpose-rich environment” and DOGE will have no problem finding places to cut.
“It's like being in a room full of goals,” Musk said. “It's like you can close your eyes and you can't let go.”
Elon Musk appears on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on December 5, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Musk and Ramaswamy unveil the full-time and salaried roles they are trying to fill
While Musk doesn't seem concerned about the DOGE's ability to figure out what needs to be cut, he does express concern that it might make government officials care more about spending taxpayers' money. He also claimed that those in government “who care about 'spending money effectively'” face obstacles.
“The system prevents them from doing that,” Musk told Penn.
Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy make their way to a meeting with House and Senate Republicans to discuss President-elect Trump's Department of Government Efficiency on Dec. 5, 2024, at the Congressional Visitors Center in Washington, DC. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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Rather than acting as a regular department, the DOGE acts as an out-of-government committee to examine issues of cost, waste, and efficiency. DOGE is set to run for two years and will be led by Musk and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.