Elon Musk is at it again, aiming to eliminate every single unnecessary expense in the government. As head of the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), he has declared that the government could be wasting more than $100 million a year on phone lines.
This all comes after an internal audit conducted by the DOGE itself, which found that almost 20% of the active lines in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) were either duplicated or unused (198 out of 1,048). Musk’s calculations suggest that if this percentage is extrapolated to the rest of the federal system, the waste could easily hit nine figures.
It took him only an hour to cancel those lines, and the estimated annual savings are those one hundred billion dollars.
Phones and landlines
Currently, only 2% of adults use a landline phone, it’s already outdated. So… if no one uses a landline anymore… why does the government still maintain so many active numbers?
Since 2019, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) no longer requires providers to install copper lines in every home, and companies like Verizon Communications Inc. have drastically reduced their landline infrastructure.
But it seems that the government is several steps behind. The unnecessary use of lines and old contracts with providers represent a useless expense that could instead be invested in modern technology, cybersecurity, or improvements in public services, don’t you think?
Musk and his crusade against waste
Even though Musk had already announced that he would reduce his direct involvement in the DOGE, he didn’t hesitate to repost the audit on X and denounce the waste to his millions of followers. With a simple “The government is throwing away 100 million a year!”, he sharply criticized the lack of control over public resources.
Of course, the debate about government spending quickly spread among social and political circles, and it’s no wonder, because this is money that belongs to the people and shouldn’t be squandered. It’s an unprecedented (and senseless) waste, quiet, without headlines, that has been piling up line by line, bill by bill, for years.
How many more lines are out there?
The OPM only represents 0.1% of the federal administration, leaving open the possibility that thousands of lines are still active in other agencies, unused and unheard. If it only took an hour to cancel 198 lines, what’s stopping other departments from doing the same?
Of course, this isn’t just about technology, but also about political will and efficient management. We’re talking about a structural problem. And probably a lot more common than we’d like to think. But Musk always shows up wherever there’s waste.
What is the DOGE?
It’s called the Department of Government Efficiency, created specifically to reduce energy waste and modernize government technology to make it as productive as possible. Created by Trump specifically for Musk (yes) to be the principal advisor and figure of this initiative.
But there are a few more things you need to know about the DOGE. The first is that it’s not a formal executive department (because it wasn’t approved by Congress) and the second is that it’s constantly stirring up controversy because of the aggressive approach they’ve chosen to take, so much so that even big names at Tesla have seen Musk’s image take a hit!
So, with this latest scandal, it reminds us that every unused line has cost Americans a lot of money, and like this waste… how many more are out there?
Carol McDaniel is a dedicated and results-driven professional with 5 years of experience and US News. Known for her strong problem-solving skills and collaborative mindset, Carol has built a reputation for delivering high-impact results across diverse teams and projects.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated expertise in 2 core skills or areas, e.g., client relations and project coordination, and is passionate about continuous learning and meaningful contribution. Carol thrives in dynamic environments and consistently brings professionalism, adaptability, and a focus on growth to every role she takes on.