This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
When billionaire Elon Musk, whose Tesla, X and SpaceX companies routinely lead the nation in tech accomplishments, started working with President Donald Trump on the Department of Government Efficiency, he said he hoped to save taxpayers a trillion dollars, or more.
The DOGE plan, after all, was to cut out corruption, fraud and waste in government spending, and it has been on the job since Trump's inauguration, already saving, according to estimates, each taxpayer about $1,000.
One tracking software estimated DOGE already had saved Americans about $170 billion.
As his position as a temporary federal government employee expired, Musk said that still is within reach.
He pointed out that the official end of the DOGE program is scheduled for mid-2026, and added, "We do expect to achieve over time the trillion dollars of savings."
He said, "With the support of the president and Congress, could we achieve a trillion dollars of savings? I think so. We're on track to do so."
A report at the Post-Millennial said Trump and Musk held a press conference in the Oval Office Friday, with Trump congratulating the tech billionaire for his work.
They both emphasized that while Musk's "employment" is concluding, he'll still be advising the president.
Trump also said he wants to make the DOGE cuts permanent, which would require action on the part of Congress.
Trump explained, "He's one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced. He stepped forward to put his very great talents into the service of our nation, and we appreciate it. Elon has worked tirelessly, helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations."
