Now That Elon Musk Left, What Happens to DOGE Savings and Dividend Checks?

Source: YouTube

The man who once promised to make government run like a lean tech startup has left the building. Elon Musk’s exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reignited questions about the agency’s savings claims and whether Americans will ever receive the much-touted dividend refund checks funded by DOGE savings months ago.

Musk, who served as a Special Government Employee, announced his departure last week. In a post on X, he thanked President Trump and said DOGE would “only strengthen over time.” The White House insisted he left on good terms, describing him as an informal adviser. But behind the polite statements is a growing void. Musk’s closest allies in DOGE, including Steve Davis and general counsel James Burnham, have also stepped down. Without the Tesla and SpaceX CEO at the helm, there is no clear update on the DOGE savings or the much-anticipated taxpayer refunds.

Musk’s Exit Leaves a Trail of Questions

Created to reduce government waste, deregulate agencies, and modernize federal systems, DOGE had once aimed to generate as much as $2 trillion in savings annually. The administration now cites $175 billion in estimated savings, or roughly $1,087 per taxpayer. However, only $70 billion has been itemized on the agency’s “Wall of Receipts,” casting doubt on the rest.

There are also lingering concerns about how DOGE operated during Musk’s tenure. Lawmakers have quietly raised alarms over whether DOGE ransacked federal data systems for potential commercial use. While no formal charges have been made, the lack of transparency has fueled bipartisan scrutiny.

What Happened to DOGE Savings and the Dividend Checks?

The idea for a dividend check came from investor James Fishback. His proposal would allocate a portion of DOGE’s confirmed savings to taxpayers as a non-inflationary refund, separate from previous stimulus programs. Unlike COVID-era checks, this refund would target net-income taxpaying households, excluding most low-income Americans.

President Trump showed public interest in the idea, calling it a “possibility” during a February summit in Miami. By late March, Musk said the decision rested with Trump and Congress. Fishback insisted as recently as April that the plan was still alive and claimed to have support from both the White House and GOP lawmakers.

Still, no concrete legislative language has emerged. No figure has been agreed on. No timeline has been shared. And now that Musk has returned to the private sector, the momentum appears stalled.

Savings Claims vs. Reality

DOGE reported saving $130 billion as of late March. That figure has since been revised upward to $175 billion. But there are inconsistencies. Internal watchdogs say some of the cuts are double-counted or based on projected rather than realized savings. The public-facing documentation includes cost-saving efforts from agencies that had long-standing reforms predating DOGE’s creation.

Even the $5,000 dividend check floated by Trump in Miami is now considered aspirational rather than realistic. To pay that amount to even half of America’s 122 million households, DOGE would need to secure and verify at least $300 billion in actual, available funds. The agency hasn’t come close to that.

No Clear Leadership, No Clear Timeline

Since Musk’s departure, the White House has said the president and his Cabinet will collectively lead DOGE. But no specific individual has been named to carry the program forward. The lack of clear authority weakens confidence in the dividend plan’s future.

Musk had been DOGE’s most visible figure and its chief advocate. Without him pushing the agenda, the administration has shifted its messaging back to broad themes of fighting “waste, fraud, and abuse,” rather than offering dollar-based updates or payment schedules.

Do you think Americans will still receive DOGE dividend checks before the end of 2025? Tell us what you think.

Survey

 Loading ...