Elon Musk says DOGE uncovered new fraud worth hundreds of millions

Fox News covers Elon Musk’s announcement that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is allegedly on track to save American taxpayers $150 billion through waste and fraud reduction. The segment focuses heavily on what Fox News describes as absurd unemployment insurance fraud and political pushback against Musk’s government involvement.

According to Fox News, Musk announced the anticipated savings figure and highlighted cases the hosts characterize as “just absurd,” including alleged payments to people “who have not been born yet.” The hosts present specific data points that DOGE allegedly uncovered: over 24,000 people listed as over 115 years old who claimed $59 million in benefits since 2020, 28,000 people between one and five years old who claimed $254 million, and nearly 10,000 individuals with birthdates more than 15 years in the future who claimed $69 million. Fox News reports one particularly striking example of someone with a birthday listed as 2154 who allegedly claimed $41,000 in benefits.

The segment then shifts to what Fox News characterizes as Democratic opposition to Musk’s role. According to the hosts, Axios reports that Democrats are launching a campaign to remove Musk by May 30th based on what Fox News calls a “legal technicality” — that his special government employee status cannot exceed 130 days. The hosts cite former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz as allegedly making “nonstop attacks” on Musk, playing a clip where Walz allegedly criticizes wealthy individuals who “don’t pay their taxes.”

Fox News hosts defend Musk extensively in the video, contrasting his contributions — including SpaceX, medical developments, and rescuing stranded astronauts — against what they characterize as Walz’s record. The hosts question why, according to them, media attention focuses on limiting Musk’s tenure rather than on the alleged fraud figures presented. One host emphasizes that DOGE’s work is allegedly being done by volunteers, including “the world’s richest man,” who could be “sitting on an island” instead of attempting to help address the national debt.

The panel expresses frustration about what they describe as lack of mainstream media coverage of the alleged fraud. According to Fox News, one host states this is “a hill for Republicans to die on,” arguing the party must back Musk and pursue waste reduction or lose credibility on spending issues. The hosts also reference an alleged IRS website update that the agency reportedly told Musk would take 103 days but was completed in 71 minutes.

In Fox News’s Own Words

“I’m excited to announce that we anticipate savings, reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion. Some of it is just absurd.”

“People getting unemployment insurance who have not been born yet. I think anyone could appreciate, I mean come on. That’s just crazy.”

“This is volunteer work being done by the world’s richest man. Instead of getting a thank you, his employees are getting attacked.”

The segment matters because it highlights ongoing political tensions around government efficiency efforts and raises questions about oversight of federal benefit programs, though the alleged fraud figures and their methodology would require independent verification to assess their accuracy and scope.