Sarah Hooper
Published November 24, 2025 8:43am
Updated November 24, 2025 9:19am
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
He promised to cut trillions from the government (Picture: Getty)
Elon Musk’s passion project in the US government officially no longer exists, despite months remaining on its official mandate.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was headed by Musk, who vowed to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget before seemingly cutting that figure by half.
Despite the mandate which created DOGE having eight months left on its contract, it’s now been revealed that it officially no longer exists.
The original contract stated that the department would last until July 4, 2026 – meaning it’s ending much earlier than planned.
When asked by Reuters about DOGE, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Scott Kupor, replied: ‘That doesn’t exist.’
He specified that DOGE is no longer a ‘centralised entity’.
In the past few months, much of the DOGE staff has been transitioning into other government positions or out of government entirely, signalling that the department might be in trouble.
Musk wore DOGE hats in the Oval Office (Picture: Getty)
One hallmark of DOGE – a government-wide hiring freeze – is also over, Kupor told Reuters.
‘There is no target around reductions anymore,’ he clarified.
How did DOGE’s existence impact government employees?
Musk claimed the programme saved $214billion (Picture: Getty)
After DOGE was established, Musk promised to cut trillions from the US deficit by slashing jobs, funding and more.
It’s unclear if he actually accomplished this, but the programme did leave an impact on the government workforce.
An estimated 200,000 federal workers were laid off by May this year, drawing scrutiny from many, as USAID, which provides vital support to other countries, was also slashed.
But Kupor wrote on X: ‘The principles of DOGE remain alive and well: deregulation; eliminating fraud, waste and abuse; re-shaping the federal workforce; making efficiency a first-class citizen.’
DOGE’s website claims that it saved $214billion for the US federal government, but these figures aren’t substantiated.
What effects did DOGE have on Musk?
Even as DOGE has ended, Musk is still in Washington – he was there as the Saudi leader visited (Picture: AFP)
Even though the department was Musk’s pride and joy in government, it didn’t come without issues for the tech guru.
Earlier this year, Trump claimed he might have to deport Musk or ‘put DOGE’ on him.
Trump threatened Musk this summer after the tech boss opposed his ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’.
‘We might have to put DOGE on Elon,’ the President told reporters.
More Trending
-
Teenager was 'locked up and starved to just 35lbs by her obese family'
Channel: US US 2 days ago By William Hallowell - Slender Man stabber 'cuts off police tag' and escapes custody
- John F Kennedy's granddaughter, 35, blasts cousin RFK Jr after terminal cancer diagnosis
- Peace deal edging closer despite Trump blasting Ukraine for having 'zero gratitude'
The tech billionaire is the chief executive of Tesla, the nation’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, which has massive defence contracts.
‘You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn’t that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies. Elon’s very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated.’
After a public bust-up with Trump this spring, Musk also announced he wanted to set up a new political group called the ‘America Party’.
Several times, Musk has suggested that a new political party is needed to encapsulate the viewpoints he argues aren’t represented by the GOP.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Arrow MORE: Peace deal edging closer despite Trump blasting Ukraine for having ‘zero gratitude’
Arrow MORE: King to visit US to mark country’s 250th anniversary alongside Donald Trump
Arrow MORE: Empty beds at school where 315 students and teachers were abducted by gunmen
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source News UpdatesStay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.
Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
