Elon Musk Cuts Budget Expectations for Trump's DOGE

Tech mogul Elon Musk has dialed back his expectations for finding $2 trillion in federal budget cuts, admitting it might be a stretch. In a recent interview, Musk revealed that the $2 trillion figure was likely a best-case scenario, and he thinks achieving even half of that would be a feat. This is a significant shift from his earlier claim at a Trump rally, where he stated he could cut the federal budget by at least $2 trillion. Budget experts quickly dismissed this number as unrealistic, given the entire discretionary budget is only $1. 7 trillion. Musk, alongside former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, is leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) budget-cutting effort. Despite the high goals, the panel has no official authority and will merely suggest changes to the White House. President-elect Trump named the advisory panel after an internet meme.

When asked about the feasibility of the $2 trillion cut, Musk said they would aim for it but acknowledged the challenge. He believes that if they can reduce the deficit from $2 trillion to $1 trillion, it would help the economy grow without causing inflation. Critics point out that significant savings would require cuts to mandatory programs like Medicaid, which could cause hardship for some. Musk didn't specify which cuts he's considering but noted there are plenty of opportunities to save money. The Trump transition team hasn't responded to requests for comment on Musk's updated estimate.

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