Trump backs idea to send some DOGE savings to American citizens
Feb 19, 2025, 7:55 PM
Elon Musk, left, and President Donald Trump, right, are seen through the windows as Marine One lands on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he likes the idea of giving some of the savings from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency back to U.S. citizens as a kind of dividend.
He said at an investment conference in Miami that the administration is considering a concept in which 20% of the savings produced by DOGE鈥檚 cost-cutting efforts goes to American citizens and another 20% goes to paying down the national debt.
Trump also said the potential for dividend payments would incentivize people to report wasteful spending.
鈥淭hey鈥檒l be reporting it themselves,鈥� Trump said. 鈥淭hey participate in the process of saving us money.鈥�
Later, as he flew back to Washington aboard Air Force One, he was asked by a reporter about the plan floated by Musk.
鈥淚 love it,” the Republican president told reporters on the plane.
A day earlier, Musk that he 鈥渨ill check with the President鈥� in response to a suggestion that Trump and Musk should announce a 鈥滵OGE Dividend” that would send a refund to taxpayers from part of the savings created by DOGE. Its efforts have already led to thousands of federal government employees being fired or laid off.
