Summary
Elon Musk falsely claimed an $8 billion saving on a canceled contract that was actually worth only $8 million, significantly inflating its reported $55 billion in total savings.
The error, first identified by The New York Times, was based on an incorrect figure in federal procurement records.
Additionally, DOGE’s accounting has been questioned due to inconsistencies in its reported savings, including counting already-paid portions of contracts and taking credit for office closures when Joe Biden was still president.
DOGE has not publicly addressed the mistake.
To add: If you cancel a contract that was 80% finished then that is not a saving. It means you likely wasted 80%.
It really feels like penny wise, pound foolish. Only focusing on what’s paid out and thought about the benefit.
Though the simplistic approach is likely intentional.
Also doesn’t the Government have to pay a settlement if they terminate a contract for convenience?
We are just going to end up paying out a lot of money for nothing.