DOGE and the Fight Against Government Waste

Image: LA Times

Just weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term, his administration is already delivering on its promises with decisive action to stop government waste. One of the most talked-about initiatives is the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency focused on cutting out the waste, fraud, and abuse that have plagued government spending for decades.

Many Americans are questioning the necessity of these expenses, particularly as the national debt has soared to an unprecedented $36 trillion. Critics argue that while the U.S. faces economic challenges, taxpayer money should be prioritized for domestic infrastructure, job creation, and debt reduction rather than funding controversial or seemingly frivolous studies. While Southern California burns, and North Carolina resembles a post-apocalyptic looking state after being demolished by recent hurricanes, the question of government spending is at an all-time high as U.S citizens are struggling to rebuild.

Led by Elon Musk, DOGE is designed to look in depth at the taxpayer-funded expenditures and identify inefficiencies within the federal budget. Musk’s role in the agency has sparked controversy, with critics questioning his appointment. They argue, “No one voted for Elon.” Supporters, however, counter with claims that unelected officials often hold powerful government positions. Some even responded to anti-Musk protests, saying, “No one voted for Kamala, either.”

Tracking Taxpayer Dollars

So far, DOGE has uncovered billions in questionable government spending. Some of the most eye-catching expenditures from previous administrations include:

• $50 million for condom distribution programs in Gaza
• $10 million in research on transgender mice and rats, including $2.5 million to study fertility in transgender mice and $1.1 million to examine whether female rats undergoing testosterone therapy are more likely to overdose on GHB, a party drug commonly known as a date-rape drug
• $270 million from USAID to George Soros

Image: FOX 2

Senator Eric Schmitt broke down some additional spending:

• $45 million for DEI scholarships in Burma
• $125 million to racialize public health
• $280 million for diverse birdwatchers
• $3 million for girls-centered climate action in Brazil
• $1.5 million for DEI in Serbia
• $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland
• $2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam
• $47,000 for a trans opera in Colombia
• $32,000 for a trans comic book in Peru
• $2 million for sex changes in Guatemala
• $6 million for tourism in Egypt

In a Jesse Waters episode, Waters also expressed additional government spending which entails:

• $43 million spent by USAID on a gas station in Afghanistan
• $1.5 million to promote LGBTQ rights in Jamaica
• $4 million for transgender issues in Serbia
• $5.5 million for gay rights in Uganda
• $6 million for “men who have sex with men” programs in South Africa
• $17 million to promote inclusion in Vietnam
• $25 million for green transportation in the country, Georgia
• $1 million for Arab and Jewish photographers
• $8 million to teach Sri Lankan journalists how to avoid binary gender language
• $122 million from USAID given to terrorists, including the Taliban and the Wuhan Lab

Who is USAID? USAID is a government agency that oversees foreign aid and development projects worldwide, and up until DOGE, has been spending tax payer money on some of the most baseless expenditures.

The figures disclosed on the official usaspending.gov website reveal a staggering allocation of funds to Politico through USAID, with totals reaching into the hundreds of millions. This raises serious concerns about the Biden administration effectively funneling taxpayer dollars to news agencies in exchange for favorable coverage.

DOGE has also uncovered that 97% of all political contributions from USAID employees went to Democratic candidates.

A Nation Divided

The launch of DOGE has sparked a nationwide conversation about the importance of government spending transparency and accountability. Many Americans, particularly those frustrated with the outrageous spending of their tax dollars, are applauding Elon Musk’s leadership in taking on the challenge of slashing wasteful spending. 

In a tweet on X, Musk stated that cutting $4 billion per day could bring inflation to zero by 2026.

Regardless of political stance on wasteful spending and DOGE, one fact remains: DOGE has already exposed substantial wasteful spending in just a few short weeks, and Musk is only getting started. More details to come in later days as more wasteful spending comes to light.