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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Wednesday that he is considering returning part of the savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is led by billionaire Elon Musk.
Trump is considering the possibility of giving taxpayers 20% of the money saved by the entity and allocating another 20% to pay down the national debt.
"A new concept is under consideration in which we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% to debt repayment," commented the leader during the inauguration of the FII Priority Summit investor forum in Miami.
A day earlier, Musk said on his X account that he would consult with Trump on a proposal to return a portion of the money saved to citizens thanks to the organization's spending cuts.
The richest man in the world shared a message from James Fishback, CEO of the investment firm Azoria and a Trump supporter, who proposed creating a "DOGE dividend," funded exclusively by a portion of the total savings generated by the Department.
"20% of the money that DOGE saves should be returned to hard-working Americans in the form of a tax rebate check. It was their money in the first place! (...) Let's do it! This is how we restore trust in our government," suggested Fishback.
Musk's response was brief: "I will consult with the president."
Fishback's idea has gone viral.
According to the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, there are about 132 million households in the United States, but only 59.9% would meet the criteria to receive the payment, as it would be exclusively intended for federal taxpayers.
The amount of the checks will depend on the total savings achieved by the DOGE. Its goal is to achieve a reduction of up to 2 trillion dollars, but so far it has reached 55 billion, less than 3%.
On Tuesday, Trump and Musk appeared for a joint interview on Fox News, where they proudly stated that DOGE is cutting "billions of dollars" from the federal government's bureaucratic apparatus.
In any case, the proposal needs the approval of Congress.
Frequently asked questions about the savings plan of the Department of Government Efficiency and its impact
What is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and who is in charge of it?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is an entity created to reduce bureaucracy and government expenditure in the United States. It is led by Elon Musk, who was appointed by President Donald Trump. Its mission includes cutting unnecessary expenses and improving the administrative efficiency of the federal government.
How does Trump plan to use the savings generated by DOGE?
Trump proposes to return 20% of the savings generated by DOGE to American taxpayers as a tax refund check. Another 20% of the savings would be allocated to paying down the national debt. This proposal aims to restore confidence in the government, although it requires Congressional approval for implementation.
What are the savings goals of DOGE?
The DOGE aims to achieve a reduction of up to 2 trillion dollars in government spending. So far, it has managed to save 55 billion dollars, which accounts for less than 3% of its total goal. The plan includes the elimination of unnecessary regulations and a significant reduction in government staff.
What impact could the DOGE savings plan have on public services and employment?
The DOGE savings plan could affect essential services and increase unemployment due to massive staff cuts. While its supporters argue that it will reduce the size of government and enhance its efficiency, there are concerns about the negative impact on critical public services and the employment rate in the government sector.
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