TechFlow news — On March 13, according to the Financial Times, the latest data from the U.S. Treasury Department shows that Elon Musk's aggressive efficiency drive has failed to prevent federal spending from rising to a record $603 billion last month, highlighting the Trump administration's difficulties in shrinking the size of government. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Musk, claims to have saved over $100 billion so far, but during the new administration’s first month, only a few departments saw reduced expenditures. Compared with the same period last year, spending increased by $40 billion, or 7%.
The release of these new figures follows the deployment of Musk and members of his team into several government agencies, including the State and Health Departments, as well as multiple divisions within the Treasury Department. Tens of thousands of workers have been suspended or dismissed, and thousands of government grants and contracts have been canceled. Musk has repeatedly claimed that the Department of Government Efficiency is on track to save $1 trillion from the annual federal budget, saying the cost-cutting is currently progressing at a rate of $4 billion per day. However, February’s monthly financial report shows that almost none of the major spending categories have seen significant reductions. Treasury officials noted that the Department of Education achieved a $6 billion reduction in spending.
