In a televised interview, Elon Musk claimed that his controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is the only force capable of saving the US from economic collapse. He dismissed public fears around Social Security cuts, despite expert warnings.
The tech billionaire’s latest public appearance followed weeks of scrutiny surrounding DOGE’s rapid interventions in several US federal agencies. Musk, joined by a handpicked team of business elites and engineers, attempted to reframe the narrative in a more structured and professional light.
His remarks were made during a feature interview on Fox News, aimed at repairing public confidence in a program that has sparked legal challenges, public backlash and warnings from budget analysts.
DOGE’s Controversial Rise and Its Mission to Cut Federal Spending
The Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE—was launched as a cost-cutting initiative under President Donald Trump. It has operated with broad executive backing and minimal oversight, gaining access to multiple US agencies with the stated aim of reducing waste and fraud.
According to Musk, DOGE’s goal is to eliminate a trillion dollars in government spending without touching essential services.
Musk introduced DOGE’s core leadership to the public for the first time, including SpaceX executive Steve Davis, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, and other senior figures from finance and tech. According to Musk, their collective task is to streamline the federal government’s operations and bring private-sector efficiency to public services.
In the interview, Davis called the effort “incredibly inspiring”, emphasizing the urgency of preventing “the country going bankrupt”. Gebbia, now focused on modernizing the US retirement system, cited outdated processes like paper-based record-keeping as targets for reform.
The initiative has faced criticism for its speed and lack of institutional knowledge, yet Musk defended the approach, likening any expectation of zero errors to demanding a baseball player “bat 1,000”.
Scrutiny over social security and legal challenges mount
DOGE’s interventions have drawn concern from legal experts and social welfare advocates. One major point of contention is the agency’s handling of Social Security, a program supporting over 73 million Americans.
According to budget analysts, Musk’s claim that fraud is widespread in the system lacks evidence. Despite this, DOGE has prioritized the agency for spending cuts.
A recent ruling from a federal judge found DOGE’s dismantling of USAID likely violated the Constitution. Meanwhile, Non-Governmental Organizations report interruptions in aid distribution, including HIV medication programs, which have led to reported fatalities. Musk declined to address these specifics during the interview.
When asked about elderly Americans potentially losing access to benefits, Musk insisted, “The 94-year-old grandmother is actually, as a result of DOGE’s work, going to get her check.”
He argued that eliminating fraud will help secure Social Security’s future, though experts warn that substantial cuts to entitlements may be necessary to meet DOGE’s targets.
