The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) pushed back hard Monday after a Reuters report claimed the agency effectively no longer exists. DOGE dismissed the story as outright “fake news” in a social media post, insisting that it remains fully active and still carrying out President Donald Trump’s mandate to cut federal waste.
“President Trump was given a mandate by the American people to modernize the federal government and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse,” the agency wrote. “Just last week, DOGE terminated 78 wasteful contracts and saved taxpayers $335 million.”
DOGE added that its regular Friday update will continue as scheduled “in a few days,” signaling that operations are ongoing despite speculation.
Conflicting Signals From OPM
The confusion erupted after Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor told Reuters earlier this month that DOGE “doesn’t exist” as a centralized agency anymore. Kupor said many of DOGE’s responsibilities have been absorbed by OPM—an apparent shift that was never formally announced by the Trump administration.
Kupor’s comments marked the first public acknowledgment from any senior official suggesting DOGE’s dissolution, despite Trump’s executive order requiring the agency to remain active through July 2026.
DOGE’s Fast Rise—and Sudden Uncertainty
Launched in January and initially led by Elon Musk, DOGE quickly became one of the most publicized initiatives of Trump’s second term. The agency aggressively slashed budgets, shut down programs, and reordered federal priorities to align with Trump’s agenda. Musk regularly hyped its work on X, even using a chainsaw in a viral demonstration promoting federal job cuts.
But Musk’s later feud with Trump—and his subsequent exit from Washington—sparked rumors of internal fractures. Still, the White House insists the mission continues.
“President Trump was given a clear mandate to reduce waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government, and he continues to actively deliver on that commitment,” said White House spokeswoman Liz Huston in an email to Reuters.
For now, DOGE insists it remains alive, operational, and ready to continue cutting federal waste—despite reports of its demise.
