Fact-Checking DOGE Taxpayer Savings Claims: What’s Real and What’s Not—Without the B.S.

This week, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made headlines with bold taxpayer savings claims, asserting it saved billions by cutting grants, contracts, and restructuring federal agencies.

But how accurate are these DOGE taxpayer savings claims? We dug into the details — and what we found raises questions.

Claim: 402 NSF DEI Grants Canceled — $233M Saved

DOGE stated it canceled 402 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grants at the National Science Foundation, totaling $233 million.

But there’s no public list confirming this.

Neither DOGE’s website nor official federal spending databases (like USASpending.gov) provide evidence for all 402 grants or the $233M figure. DOGE has canceled other DEI grants — such as $15M from the Institute of Museum and Library Services — but the specifics here remain unverified.

Takeaway: DOGE’s intent to cut DEI programs is clear, but this number lacks transparency and independent verification.

Claim: 139 Foreign Aid Grants Cut — $215M?

DOGE also says it axed 139 foreign aid grants from the State Department worth $215 million, including programs in Kyrgyzstan and the U.K.

This fits with their trend of scrutinizing international spending. But again, there’s no detailed list of the 139 grants or confirmation of the exact dollar amount. While similar grants (like those in Mozambique and Nepal) have been publicly canceled, this batch is harder to verify.

Takeaway: The move fits the agenda, but the specifics don’t check out — another shaky piece of the DOGE taxpayer savings claims.

Claim: 237 Contracts Slashed — $4.9B in Savings

DOGE reported cutting 237 federal contracts this week, claiming $4.9 billion in savings. Examples include an EPA plant maintenance deal and a USDA contract for environmental policy in Indonesia.

The problem?

DOGE has a track record of inflated numbers — like a supposed $8 billion ICE contract that was actually $8 million. Independent trackers estimate total verifiable DOGE savings closer to $11.7B since its launch — not the $155B they advertise.

Takeaway: Some contracts were cut — but the savings? Likely overstated.

Claim: IRS Saved $2B by Removing Non-Engineers

DOGE says it saved $2 billion at the IRS by removing non-engineers from leadership roles and canceling outdated software contracts.

But there’s a cost.

Audit teams were slashed — especially those focused on high-income earners. According to Treasury data, audits of the wealthy can return up to $13,000 per hour. So the cuts may lead to more lost revenue than savings.

Takeaway: Even if DOGE saved money here, it may have lost much more by weakening tax enforcement.

Transparency and Service Disruptions

DOGE’s “Wall of Receipts” is supposed to show where savings come from — but often lacks details.

Roughly 40% of the listed cuts involve already-disbursed funds, and federal judges have already blocked some clawbacks. Lawsuits over mass firings and service delays at agencies like the SSA and IRS are also piling up.

Takeaway: The lack of transparency casts serious doubt on the accuracy of many DOGE taxpayer savings claims.

Conclusion: Cuts Are Real — But So Are the Concerns

DOGE is aggressively reshaping government spending, claiming major wins in the name of efficiency. But a closer look at the numbers reveals a pattern: vague figures, unverifiable savings, and growing backlash.

Until more data is publicly available and independently confirmed, the biggest question around these DOGE taxpayer savings claims isn’t how much was saved — it’s what it may end up costing.