Elon Musk’s extensive initiative aimed at cost-cutting within federal government contracts appears to have yielded results that significantly diverge from his public assertions.

A recent analysis of 1,125 contracts terminated by Musk’s newly established 'Department of Government Efficiency' (Doge) in the first month of the Trump administration revealed that nearly 40% of these cancellations are unlikely to provide any financial relief to taxpayers.

The examination conducted by an external news agency highlighted that out of 1,125 contracts, 417 were poised to produce no savings for the federal budget.

Many of these expenses had already been allocated or legally committed, making recovery of the funds impractical.

An expert in government contracting law characterized this situation as akin to attempting to reclaim spent ammunition, suggesting that resources earmarked were no longer available for redirection to the budget.

Among the contracts publicized on Doge’s “wall of receipts,” a notable case was misrepresented, with a claim of an $8 billion cancellation later corrected to a value of $8 million, revealing a significant discrepancy in reported savings versus actual figures.

In addition to the financial implications, Musk's recent directive mandating that over 2 million federal employees submit a weekly report of five accomplishments has sparked considerable disruption across various government departments.

This order has faced resistance from several appointees of the Trump administration, including Kash Patel, the appointed director of the FBI, who advised staff to refrain from adhering to the new requirement.

Despite the pushback, Musk reinforced his stance in communications to federal employees, warning that failure to comply with his directives could lead to termination.

This uncompromising approach has raised questions among federal judges regarding the legality of Doge and Musk's involvement in its operations.

At a recent court hearing in Washington D.C., concerning access to sensitive treasury department data, questions regarding the constitutional legitimacy of Doge's structure were aired.

Federal Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly pointed out the customary requirement under the U.S. Constitution that federal agencies are led by officials who are officially appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Musk's position lacks this formal endorsement, leading to inquiries about the basis of his authority within the federal framework.

Government representatives, in response, indicated that their knowledge of Musk’s standing was limited to his status as a close advisor to the president.