On March 27, 2025, Fox News aired an exclusive interview featuring Elon Musk and key members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team, hosted by Bret Baier on “Special Report.”
This rare group appearance shed light on their ambitious mission to streamline federal operations, eliminate waste, and combat fraud. The interview offers an insight into DOGE’s activities and future plans.
Below, we explore who participated, what DOGE is working on, key takeaways from the discussion, the scale of fraud and spending cuts uncovered, and what lies ahead.
Who Participated in the Fox News Interview?
The interview brought together Elon Musk, the high-profile leader of DOGE, and seven team members, offering a glimpse into the minds driving this initiative. Notable participants included:
- Elon Musk: The billionaire innovator spearheading DOGE, known for his roles at Tesla, SpaceX, and X, brought his signature bold vision to the table.
- Steve Davis: Musk’s longtime associate and DOGE’s chief operating officer, who has a track record of cost-cutting from his time at SpaceX and The Boring Company.
- Joe Gebbia: Co-founder of Airbnb, tasked with reimagining the federal retirement system.
- Aram Moghaddassi: A DOGE software engineer focused on tackling fraud and enhancing service delivery.
- Anthony Armstrong: A former Morgan Stanley banker contributing financial expertise to the team.
Absent from the lineup was Amy Gleason, the acting DOGE administrator, sparking speculation about her role and Musk’s de facto leadership.
What Are They Doing at DOGE?
DOGE, established under President Donald Trump’s second term, aims to optimize federal government operations by slashing spending and rooting out inefficiencies.
The team has targeted agencies like USAID, CFPB, NOAA, and the U.S. Postal Service, implementing mass layoffs, voluntary buyouts, and cancellations of contracts and grants deemed wasteful. Their efforts also extend to modernizing technology to improve services like Social Security while eliminating fraudulent claims. Musk and his team are working within an 18-month mandate, with Musk operating as a “special government employee” limited to 130 days of service.
Summary of the Interview: Key Quotes and Insights
The hour-long discussion highlighted DOGE’s aggressive approach and responded to criticism about its disruptive tactics. Here are some standout moments:
- Elon Musk on the Scale of Change: “This is a revolution, and I think it might be the biggest revolution in the government since the original revolution. At the end of the day, America is going to be in much better shape; America will be solvent.” Musk framed DOGE’s work as a historic overhaul, emphasizing fiscal responsibility.
- Steve Davis on Social Security: “We’re carefully and methodically looking at benefits claims and making sure any fraudulent ones are eliminated.” Davis addressed concerns about cuts to Social Security, insisting their focus is on fraud prevention rather than slashing legitimate benefits.
- Joe Gebbia on User Experience: “We really believe that the government can have an Apple Store-like experience.” Gebbia outlined a vision of transforming federal services into something intuitive and efficient, drawing from his tech background.
- Aram Moghaddassi on Fraud Detection: “Fraudsters call in and claim to be a retiree, convincing the operator to change where the money is flowing. As a result of DOGE’s work, legitimate beneficiaries will see improvements.” Moghaddassi revealed a startling claim that 40% of Social Security calls may involve fraud, underscoring their tech-driven approach to fixing it.
Musk also pushed back against critics, noting, “Those who complain the loudest and with the most amount of fake righteous indignation are fraudsters.” He acknowledged the pace felt slow by his standards but lightning-fast for government, saying, “What seems like incredibly fast action by government standards is slower than I’d like, to be totally frank.”
How Much Fraud and Spending Has DOGE Found and Cut?
DOGE’s mission centers on cutting $1 trillion from the federal deficit annually—roughly 15% of spending outside Social Security, healthcare, and debt interest. Musk claimed this could be achieved without harming critical services, targeting $4 billion in daily cuts. Specific achievements include:
- Fraud Detection: Moghaddassi’s assertion that 40% of Social Security calls are fraudulent suggests billions in potential misdirected funds, though exact savings remain unclear. The Social Security Administration has countered that fraud is closer to $100 million annually, highlighting a discrepancy DOGE aims to resolve.
- Spending Cuts: The team has already axed over $580 million in Department of Defense programs, terminated DEI initiatives, and cut thousands of federal jobs via buyouts and layoffs. The U.S. Postal Service alone plans to shed 10,000 jobs and billions from its budget under DOGE’s influence.
While DOGE’s “wall of receipts” website boasts savings, analysts note errors and unexplained deletions, casting doubt on transparency. Still, Musk insists “almost no one has gotten fired,” framing reductions as voluntary or probationary.
What’s Next for DOGE?
Looking ahead, Musk believes most of DOGE’s work will wrap up within his 130-day window, though legal challenges and public backlash may complicate timelines. The team plans to:
- Expand Tech Modernization: Further integrate Silicon Valley solutions to streamline services and combat fraud.
- Defend Their Vision: Continue countering lawsuits alleging unconstitutional overreach, with Musk lacking Senate confirmation.
- Target New Areas: Potentially privatize agencies like the Postal Service or merge them with other departments, as suggested by Trump.
Musk hinted at stepping back post-130 days, saying, “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that timeframe.” However, the team’s charm offensive on Fox News signals a push to win public support amid growing scrutiny.
The Fox News interview with the DOGE team showcases efforts to reshape federal government efficiency. DOGE is tackling fraud and waste head-on, claiming significant cuts while promising better services.
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