President Trump’s golfing expenses have surpassed $26 million since the start of his second term, exceeding $20 million more quickly than during his first term. This cost includes Air Force One travel, military transportation of his motorcade, and extensive security measures like marine patrols and bomb-sniffing dogs. The expenses are based on a 2019 Government Accountability Office report, which calculated the cost per trip in 2017 dollars; the actual cost is likely significantly higher. This substantial expenditure contrasts sharply with the president’s repeated claims of reducing government waste.
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Despite Musk’s claims suggesting otherwise, the current administration’s spending trajectory is alarmingly poised to exceed that of the Biden administration. This isn’t just a matter of differing opinions; the sheer scale of the discrepancy is becoming increasingly evident. The economic indicators paint a stark picture, far removed from the rosy pronouncements we’ve heard.
The current economic downturn is not a consequence of pre-existing market fluctuations. The strength of the US economy at the end of the Biden term served as a solid foundation. The current crisis is, quite simply, self-inflicted. Poor decision-making and a disregard for sound economic principles are driving the nation towards a fiscal precipice.… Continue reading
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.
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Voice of America staff being placed on indefinite leave with pay is a perplexing situation sparking a wide range of reactions. The decision seems counterintuitive; if the goal is to save money, why continue paying salaries without requiring work? Shutting down the agency entirely would appear more efficient, or alternatively, allowing staff to continue their duties would maintain some level of operational continuity. The current approach leaves many wondering about the underlying motives.
This indefinite leave with pay seems particularly puzzling considering previous attempts to reduce staff through buyouts were largely unsuccessful. It suggests the administration’s motivations extend beyond simply trimming budgets.… Continue reading
Despite Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claiming $105 billion in savings, February’s federal spending reached a record $603 billion, a 7% increase year-over-year. While some departments saw spending reductions, increases in areas like health and Social Security offset these gains. Critics argue that DOGE’s impact is negligible compared to the overall budget, and that more drastic measures are needed to address the soaring national debt. The House recently passed a stopgap funding bill with minor spending adjustments, leaving the long-term fiscal outlook uncertain.
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A WIRED investigation contradicts Elon Musk’s assertion that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees receive zero compensation, revealing that several key figures earn six-figure salaries via the General Services Administration (GSA). These salaries, ranging from $120,500 to $195,200 annually, include those working on projects like dismantling USAID and restructuring the GSA. This contrasts sharply with DOGE’s initial recruitment claims and its now $40 million budget. The situation raises concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest given Musk’s substantial personal wealth and his companies’ history of receiving significant government funding.
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Analysis of the Trump administration’s contract cancellation program reveals that 417 of the 1,125 terminated contracts, totaling $478 million, are not expected to generate any cost savings due to pre-existing financial obligations. This is because funds were already committed for goods and services, rendering the cancellations ineffective. Experts criticize this “slash and burn” approach, arguing it could harm government operations and that alternative methods for achieving efficiencies exist. Despite the administration’s claim of over $7 billion in savings, independent assessments raise doubts about the accuracy of this figure.
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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has released a second batch of “receipts” detailing purported cost savings, but these also contain significant inaccuracies. Despite doubling the number of listed contracts to 2,299, the itemized savings dropped from $16.6 billion to $9.6 billion, while DOGE simultaneously claims total savings of $65 billion, a figure lacking supporting documentation for the vast majority of its claimed reductions. Numerous instances of double-counting, misreporting, and errors in the original $16.6 billion figure have been identified, raising serious concerns about the accuracy and reliability of DOGE’s reported savings. The discrepancies highlight the need for greater transparency and independent verification of these claimed cost-cutting measures.
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Analysis of data from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reveals that nearly 40% of the Trump administration’s canceled federal contracts, totaling 794, will not result in cost savings due to pre-existing financial obligations. This “slash and burn” approach, criticized for its lack of efficiency and potential harm to government agencies, contrasts with alternative methods of identifying cost-saving measures. Despite DOGE’s claim of $65 billion in savings from various cost-cutting measures, this figure remains unverified. The cancellations include contracts for various goods and services, some already fully paid, raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood