DOGE slashes billions more in expenses for programs like Peruvian climate change and gender equity in Mexico

Fox News - Mar 27th, 2025
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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and established under President Donald Trump, has announced the termination of 113 contracts worth $4.7 billion. This move, aimed at reducing government expenditure, includes the cancellation of a $145,000 USDA consulting contract related to Peru's climate change activities. Other notable cuts are $577 million in 'America Last' grants, which encompassed funds for gender equity, worker empowerment, and workers' rights in various countries. These actions have sparked a debate, with critics arguing that DOGE has excessive authority over federal systems.

The creation of DOGE was part of President Trump's broader initiative to streamline federal operations and reduce wasteful spending, granting the organization an 18-month mandate to achieve these objectives. The department has already claimed savings of $130 billion, equating to $807.45 per taxpayer. This initiative has been polarizing, with supporters praising the cost-cutting measures, while opponents criticize the impact on international aid and domestic diversity programs. The significance of this development lies in its potential to reshape federal spending priorities and its implications for international relations and domestic policy reform.

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RATING

4.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of the actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), highlighting significant financial figures and the involvement of high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. However, the story suffers from a lack of balanced reporting, insufficient sourcing, and limited transparency, which affects its overall accuracy and credibility. The absence of diverse perspectives and in-depth analysis limits the article's potential to engage readers meaningfully or drive significant policy changes. While the topic is of significant public interest and has the potential to provoke debate, the article's shortcomings in sourcing and balance reduce its overall impact and reliability.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its actions, such as the termination of 113 contracts valued at $4.7 billion and the savings of $3.3 billion. However, the story does not provide verifiable evidence or sources to confirm these specific figures, which raises questions about their accuracy. Additionally, the article states that DOGE is led by Elon Musk and was created by President Donald Trump via executive order, but it does not provide documentation or direct quotes to substantiate these claims. The lack of corroborating sources or official statements in the article makes it difficult to verify the truthfulness of these assertions. Furthermore, the story mentions criticism of DOGE's access to federal systems without citing specific critics or providing a balanced view of the counterarguments, which affects the precision and completeness of the reporting.

4
Balance

The article tends to present a one-sided perspective, focusing primarily on the actions and purported achievements of DOGE without adequately addressing counterarguments or criticisms in detail. While it briefly mentions that critics contend DOGE has too much access to federal systems, it does not explore these criticisms further or provide a platform for opposing viewpoints. This lack of balance can lead to a skewed understanding of the situation, as readers are not exposed to a comprehensive range of perspectives. Additionally, the article highlights the involvement of high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, which may contribute to a perceived bias towards the actions of DOGE without critically examining the potential implications or downsides of its initiatives.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of information, with a straightforward structure and language that is easy to understand. It effectively outlines the actions taken by DOGE and the associated financial figures. However, the lack of detailed explanations or context for certain claims can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. For example, the article mentions the termination of "America Last" grants without defining what these grants entail or their significance. Additionally, the brief mention of criticisms lacks depth and clarity, leaving readers with an incomplete understanding of the potential issues surrounding DOGE's actions.

3
Source quality

The article lacks robust sourcing and relies heavily on statements attributed to DOGE without providing direct quotes or references to official documents. There is no mention of independent verification or cross-referencing with other credible sources, which undermines the reliability of the information presented. The absence of diverse sources or expert commentary further diminishes the credibility of the article, as it predominantly relies on unnamed critics and unspecified claims. The involvement of high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump is mentioned, but without additional context or corroborating evidence, the authority and impartiality of these references remain questionable.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its reporting, as it does not provide sufficient context or explanation of the methodology behind the claims made by DOGE. There is no disclosure of how the savings figures were calculated or what criteria were used to determine which contracts and grants were terminated. Additionally, the article does not address potential conflicts of interest or biases that may influence the reporting. The lack of transparency in the article's sourcing and methodology makes it challenging for readers to assess the validity and impartiality of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/articles/2025/march/18/recent-ruling-on-department-of-government-efficiency-and-the-freedom-of-information-act
  2. https://www.science.org/content/article/science-trump-latest-news
  3. https://tobinproject.org/sites/default/files/assets/Sustainable%20Security%20-%20All%20Chapters.pdf
  4. https://www.cooley.com/news/insight/2025/2025-03-05-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency-cost-efficiency-initiative
  5. https://news.va.gov/138326/va-secretary-doug-collins-veterans-benefits/