Here are five shocking examples of government tax spending, revealed through Elon Musk’s DOGE insights.

As President Donald Trump reached the milestone of his 100th day in office, Elon Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) proudly reported over $160 billion in reduced waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal budget. Created through an executive order on the day of Trump’s inauguration, DOGE has set ambitious targets, aiming to slash $2 trillion from federal expenditures. Following regulations that restrict “special government employees” like Musk to a limited number of workdays—130 per year in his case—he has begun to allocate less time to the agency. This move comes amid heightened media scrutiny, particularly from Fox News, which characterized DOGE as a crucial player in identifying and curtailing federal expenditures that both Democrats and Republicans have debated intensely.

One of DOGE’s most controversial actions included uncovering that the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) had unwittingly funded a former Taliban official, Mohammad Qasem Halimi, with a contract worth $132,000. Halimi, notoriously held at Bagram Air Base after being detained in 2002, had served various governmental roles in Afghanistan, including Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs. The suitability of having a former Taliban member funded by a government agency dedicated to peace was indicative of some of the systemic issues DOGE aims to disentangle. A DOGE official remarked on the irony of finding firearms within the premises of an institute calling itself dedicated to promoting peace, illustrating the internal contradictions they face while auditing agencies like USIP.

Further findings from DOGE’s audits revealed that American educational institutions misallocated COVID relief funds to extravagant expenditures. Reports highlighted instances where large sums—up to $200 billion—were spent on trivial comforts rather than student-related needs. Examples included Utah’s Granite School District, which spent $86,000 on hotel accommodations in Las Vegas for an educational conference and various districts expending $60,000 on swimming pool passes. Musk remarked that these expenditures amounted to little more than frivolous parties funded by taxpayer dollars, suggesting that there is an urgent need for financial accountability in federal education funding.

In another striking revelation, Senator Joni Ernst, chairwoman of the Senate DOGE Caucus, disclosed that USAID approved an appropriation of $20 million for an Iraqi adaptation of “Sesame Street.” Aimed at fostering inclusion and respect among diverse ethnicities and sectarian groups, this initiative dominated discussions around effective and responsible international aid spending. Critics argued that such large funding for entertainment-related projects in foreign countries raises questions about the effectiveness and priorities of USAID under the current administration. This discussion underscores the broader narrative surrounding government spending priorities and efficiency.

Enhanced scrutiny has revealed staggering levels of “improper payments” across federal agencies, with a recent GAO report estimating $162 billion wasted. This marked a significant reduction of $74 billion from the previous year, demonstrating some progress in financial oversight. The report identified that the vast majority of waste was concentrated in just five programs, including significant discrepancies within Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The findings provided evidence that a concerted effort is necessary to improve financial integrity across government programs, making it clear that DOGE’s role in addressing these inefficiencies is increasingly critical.

Reflecting on his campaign promises, President Trump has made it a priority to cut spending on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he claims detract from merit-based reforms within the government. Over the past months, DOGE has successfully terminated numerous DEI contracts, saving millions in taxpayer money. Recent announcements indicated that DOGE’s collaboration with various agencies has already led to substantial cuts, including $233 million from the cancellation of 402 “wasteful” DEI grants. By scrutinizing and dismantling these programs, DOGE aims to pave the way for a more financially responsible government while aligning with the administration’s broader objectives of efficiency and accountability in federal spending. Such undertakings place DOGE at the forefront of discussions about the future of government expenditure and essential program accountability.