Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday (February 19) that 20% of savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could be distributed to American citizens. This proposal was discussed during an event in Miami Beach, Florida, where Trump mentioned that another 20% of the savings would be used to reduce the national debt. The idea, reportedly originating from Elon Musk, aims to incentivize citizens to report government waste, potentially leading to further savings.
DOGE, led by Musk, claims to have saved $55 billion by cutting costs in various federal departments, although some reports suggest the actual savings are closer to $8.6 billion. The proposed distribution would amount to about $11 per taxpayer. Despite the ambitious target of $2 trillion in savings, Musk has acknowledged potential challenges and errors in achieving this goal.
The proposal has sparked discussions about its feasibility and impact, with some drawing parallels to previous government payments during the pandemic. However, the exact details of how the plan would be implemented remain unclear. Trump expressed enthusiasm for the idea, stating, "I love it," when asked about Musk's proposal aboard Air Force One.