Congress blocked Elon Musk’s plan to shrink the federal government, rejecting $175 billion in proposed cuts. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis slammed Republicans for abandoning the effort and caving to “the swamp.”
Key Facts:
- Elon Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), proposing $175 billion in permanent federal spending cuts.
- The bill passed on May 22 reallocated funds but rejected the permanent cuts Musk proposed.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis blasted congressional Republicans at a May 27 press conference for failing to codify the cuts.
- Musk faced public backlash during the effort, including media attacks and damage to his businesses.
- DeSantis called for a balanced budget amendment and term limits in response to Congress’ inaction.
The Rest of The Story:
Elon Musk’s push to trim down the federal government through DOGE was one of the boldest reform attempts in years.
Marketed as a cost-saving overhaul, the plan was to make permanent cuts. The efforts successfully trimmed $175 billion in federal spending. Musk argued that reining in government growth was necessary to avoid long-term economic problems.
Despite his high-profile leadership, DOGE’s proposals failed to gain enough traction in Congress.
The bill that eventually passed did little more than shuffle money around — favoring priorities like tax cuts, defense, and border enforcement — without shrinking the overall size of government. Musk’s supporters saw this as another lost opportunity to roll back Washington’s spending habits.
Ron DeSantis didn’t mince words. Standing before reporters, he accused Congress — especially Republicans — of betraying the very voters who sent them to D.C. to fix the system.
BREAKING 🚨 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just exposed Congress for not doing D.O.G.E. cuts 🔥
"DOGE fought the swamp, and so far, the swamp has won… DON'T tell me it can't be done”
WE WANT D.O.G.E. CUTS
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) May 27, 2025
Commentary:
DeSantis is absolutely right to call out this failure. The biggest mistake of Trump’s first term was relying on executive orders to make change — nearly all of which Biden was able to reverse without consequence.
Trump’s second term in the White House has been filled with sweeping changes. The only way to ensure lasting impact is through legislation. That requires a willing Congress.
Unfortunately, the GOP-led Congress is doing little to help. They had a chance to codify the DOGE cuts and send a message that government growth won’t go unchecked.
Instead, they opted to preserve the status quo.
This kind of political negligence is exactly why voters are fed up with Washington.
Musk wasn’t just pushing for cuts. He put his reputation and businesses on the line to challenge entrenched power.
He took the fire from activists, media hit pieces, and even attacks on his dealerships.
Yet the very people who claim to support fiscal responsibility left him hanging.
DeSantis is right again when he says we need a balanced budget amendment.
Without structural reform, Congress will always find ways to spend more. And without term limits, career politicians will keep protecting their donors and pork-barrel projects instead of serving the people.
The GOP has the majority — but they refuse to lead. That’s not just disappointing. It’s dangerous.
The Bottom Line:
Elon Musk’s push to cut $175 billion in government spending was blocked by Congress, with Republicans failing to back real reform. Governor DeSantis’s criticism highlights the growing divide between the political establishment and the voters demanding fiscal sanity.
If lasting change is ever going to happen in Washington, it won’t come from executive orders — it must come from a Congress willing to act. Right now, that doesn’t exist.