The Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E) has faced a rocky start, but unexpected support is coming by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. While Warren disagrees with Elon Musk and his cost-cutting proposals, especially regarding essential programs like Medicare, she remains open to collaborating with him to reduce government spending in other areas. Warren Chimes In Senator Warren sent Musk a letter with 30 recommendations to help D.O.G.E cut $2 trillion over the next decade. Her ideas include closing corporate tax loopholes, renegotiating defense contracts, and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Warren believes the federal government could save up to $200 billion by renegotiating defense contracts, based on a 2011 report showing inflated prices. Musk has not yet responded, but past online tensions between him and Warren, including a 2021 exchange where she accused him of freeloading, suggest that her suggestions might face resistance. D.O.G.E Struggles A previous key figure for D.O.G.E, Vivek Ramaswamy, has left to pursue a political career, specifically to run for governor of Ohio. A spokesperson confirmed that his departure was in fact due to his political ambitions and not any personal issues with Elon. Still, D.O.G.E has already faced several legal challenges and skepticism about Musk and his ability to meet his ambitious spending cut targets. He recently stated that the $2 trillion goal was a best-case scenario and that a more realistic target might be half that amount. The Tesla CEO is also consulting tech leaders to explore ways to eliminate waste, with suggestions including significant cuts to the federal workforce, something Musk has experience with through layoffs at his own companies like Tesla and SpaceX.
