DOGE, the US government efficiency agency led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has dismissed a Reuters report claiming it had been disbanded as ‘fake news,’ asserting the agency remains operational and will resume regular updates. The report alleged that the agency had effectively ceased operations eight months before its mandate expired, with functions absorbed by other departments like the Office of Personnel Management. DOGE cited recent cost-saving measures, including the termination of 78 wasteful contracts and saving taxpayers $33,500,000, as proof of its continued operations. The agency also emphasized that Trump had been given a mandate to modernize government operations, curb waste, and address fraud and abuse. DOGE’s leadership accused Reuters of spreading ‘fake news’ and called for its correction.
Reuters had claimed that Trump administration officials had referred to DOGE in the past tense in recent months, suggesting its disbandment. The report noted that a government-wide hiring freeze linked to DOGE had ended, and several of the agency’s initial measures were no longer in effect. Musk’s departure from Washington in May had intensified speculation about the agency’s status, and tensions between Musk and Trump over the president’s flagship ‘big, beautiful bill’ had led to his resignation as head of DOGE. Uncertainty about DOGE’s future had been building for months, with Politico earlier reporting that staff had vacated its headquarters in June, packing up ‘clothes and bedding.’ The agency had become known for unannounced office visits, deep spending cuts, and mass layoffs.
The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness and longevity of such government agencies, particularly in an era where cost-cutting measures are under intense scrutiny. DOGE’s continued operation—despite the controversy—highlights the challenges of managing federal bureaucracy and implementing sweeping efficiency initiatives. However, the agency’s response to the Reuters report underscores the importance of transparency in government operations, which remains a contentious issue in political discourse.
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