A new report reveals that Elon Musk’s cost-cutting measures within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are likely to increase, rather than decrease, the national deficit. Despite initial claims of $2 trillion in savings, actual savings are estimated to be far lower, around $2 billion. These cuts, particularly to the IRS, are projected to significantly reduce tax revenue, outweighing any purported savings. Furthermore, legal battles and the privatization of government functions are expected to generate substantial additional costs. The overall effect is a weakening of government functionality without fiscal improvement.
Read More
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plans to cut nearly $500 million in grants from Kentucky and Indiana’s state health departments, as announced on March 23, 2025. These cuts, totaling $481 million, encompass numerous federal grants, impacting programs such as food distribution to underserved communities and crucial health services. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has denounced the cuts as unlawful, citing concerns about clinic closures and impacts on public health initiatives like the response to avian flu. The cuts follow broader federal Department of Health and Human Services reductions and raise concerns about the accuracy of DOGE’s reported savings.
Read More
The revelation that a DOGE staffer, known only as “Big Balls,” allegedly provided technical support to a cybercrime ring is deeply disturbing. This isn’t just a case of a rogue employee; it points to a potentially systemic problem within the organization and, more broadly, within government cybersecurity. The casual way this is being discussed suggests a level of normalization that should be deeply concerning.
The sheer audacity of this situation is striking. The fact that someone with such a potentially compromising history—and with a nickname that itself highlights a lack of seriousness—was given access to sensitive systems is appalling. It raises serious questions about the background check procedures in place, or rather, the glaring lack thereof.… Continue reading
DOGE’s struggle to uncover fraud within the Social Security Administration (SSA) isn’t a matter of incompetence alone; it points to a deeper issue – the inherent scarcity of widespread fraud within the system. The very notion that a significant search is needed suggests a pre-existing bias towards finding fault, a tactic often employed to undermine an institution. This approach focuses on exceptional cases rather than the rule, a strategy commonly used to discredit established systems. Much like the repeated failed attempts to prove widespread voter fraud, this search for Social Security fraud may be driven by a desire to justify pre-conceived conclusions.… Continue reading
Acting SSA Commissioner Dudek threatened to shut down the agency after a judge blocked the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to SSA data, citing a “fishing expedition.” This followed a lawsuit filed by labor and advocacy groups challenging DOGE’s data access. Critics, including several advocacy groups, condemned Dudek’s actions as a reckless attempt to please Elon Musk and the Trump administration, jeopardizing the benefits of millions of Americans. The threatened shutdown underscores the escalating conflict between the SSA and DOGE over data access and raises serious concerns about the agency’s future.
Read More
Acting Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudek threatened to shut down the agency’s IT systems, potentially halting Social Security payments, in response to a court order restricting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive personal data. The order, issued after the SSA’s granting of “unbridled access” to DOGE violated privacy laws, prohibits access to non-anonymized data. Dudek claims compliance with this order, which allows access only to redacted information, is impossible and necessitates a system shutdown. This action jeopardizes the benefits of 71 million Americans and follows DOGE’s plans to close SSA offices and limit services.
Read More
Readers are encouraged to submit news tips to The Daily Beast. The submission process is facilitated through a dedicated online portal. Information provided will contribute to The Daily Beast’s investigative journalism. Tips can be sent confidentially. All submissions are welcome and considered.
Read More
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Social Security Administration (SSA) data containing personally identifiable information (PII). Judge Hollander’s ruling condemned DOGE’s actions as a “fishing expedition” lacking justification for accessing such sensitive data. The order prohibits the SSA from granting DOGE access to PII, which includes a wide range of personal information, and mandates the deletion of any already obtained non-anonymized PII. The judge highlighted the hypocrisy of DOGE concealing its affiliates’ identities while disregarding the privacy of millions whose SSA records were accessed.
Read More
Recent widespread vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles has prompted Elon Musk to publicly denounce the attacks, attributing them to the political left and suggesting a potential link to DOGE’s anti-fraud efforts within the government. Musk characterized Tesla as a peaceful company and himself as a victim of a coordinated campaign fueled by those who profit from government corruption. Law enforcement agencies, including the Justice Department, are actively investigating these incidents, which have involved arson, gunfire, and other forms of property damage, even labeling some actions as domestic terrorism. The protests, originating on a rival social media platform, have encouraged Tesla owners to divest themselves of their vehicles and stock.
Read More
Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), defends his actions amidst widespread public disapproval. A federal judge ruled that DOGE likely violated the Constitution through actions like shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development. Musk attributes the backlash, including attacks on Tesla, to his efforts to combat government fraud, despite limited evidence of such fraud. His actions have resulted in the dismissal of tens of thousands of federal workers, jeopardizing essential government services and causing significant public unrest. The controversy highlights the increasing polarization surrounding Musk’s role and the consequences of his sweeping government reforms.
Read More