The Illusion of Savings: Why the Trump-Musk DOGE Initiative Won’t Fix America’s Budget

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched under President Donald Trump, claims to be slashing U.S. federal spending by eliminating fraud, cutting wasteful contracts, and shutting down entire agencies. Musk has promised $2 trillion in annual savings, yet government spending has remained virtually unchanged since Trump took office.

Despite DOGE’s high-profile cuts—including the closure of USAID and reductions in diversity and inclusion programs—official Treasury data contradicts Musk’s claims, showing that federal spending has actually increased slightly, averaging $30 billion per day, up from $26 billion under Biden.

One major challenge is that only about 10% of the budget is realistically within DOGE’s control. The majority of federal expenditures (about two-thirds) are mandatory spending on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, while another 10% is allocated to interest on national debt. Even if Musk eliminated all government fraud—estimated at $233 billion to $521 billion annually—he would still fall far short of his savings target.

The most tangible effect of DOGE so far has been mass government layoffs, leaving thousands of employees uncertain about their futures. While this may appeal to Musk's and Trump's anti-bureaucracy stance, it has yet to translate into real fiscal savings.

So, what are the economic consequences of the Trump/Musk DOGE initiative?

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Ideology, Markets, and the Temptation of Tariffs

If dealmaking means wielding the threat of catastrophe to secure incremental gains, then Donald Trump has long mastered the art. His approach to global trade has been one of brinkmanship—leveraging the threat of tariffs to force concessions. His February 3rd move to grant Canada and Mexico a 30-day reprieve from a punishing 25% tariff on automobiles was a textbook example of this strategy. In exchange, he secured a modest but tangible boost in border security cooperation, including 10,000 additional Mexican troops and a reiteration of prior commitments.

Was this "dumbest trade war in history" also the shortest? Investors seem to think so. When Trump initially threatened tariffs, the S&P 500 dropped 3%, only to recover more than half its losses after his deal with Mexico. But this optimism may be misplaced. The assumption that Trump’s trade aggression is merely a negotiating tactic underestimates its potential for long-term disruption. The reality is that his trade war may be just beginning.....

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Gold Rush 2.0: The BOE Vault Discount Sale (Limited Time Only!)

  

It appears the Bank of England has accidentally launched a Black Friday sale on gold—except it’s not even Friday, and the discounts are driven by global panic rather than holiday cheer. With traders bracing for potential Trump tariffs, the rush to get bullion stateside has turned into a financial version of “The Hunger Games.”

Normally, gold in the BOE vault behaves like a well-mannered aristocrat, aligning perfectly with London market prices. But now? It’s acting like a rogue street vendor, undercutting the market by more than $5 an ounce. That’s a big deal when you consider that previous fluctuations have been in the range of a few measly cents—barely enough to cover a vending machine snack, let alone shake up the gold market.

Traders are queueing up for weeks just to withdraw metal, which raises the question: Is this gold or a hot new sneaker release? If this trend continues, we might see ticket scalpers outside the BOE vault, whispering, “Psst… wanna buy some gold?”

Trump hasn’t *officially* declared war on precious metals, but the markets are already acting like he might. It’s a classic case of “better safe than sorry”—or in this case, “better stockpile than suffer.” And so, the great bullion migration continues, with dealers scrambling to capture premium U.S. prices before potential tariffs turn gold into an even more expensive indulgence.

Moral of the story? If you’re looking for a discount on gold, now might be your moment—just be prepared to camp out in line like it’s a Taylor Swift ticket drop.

Trump and Musk: The Dynamic Duo of Deconstruction

Donald Trump's latest brainwave about revisiting American expansionism caused the usual media meltdown, with everyone clutching their pearls over comments about Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. By Wednesday afternoon, his aides were backpedaling faster than a unicyclist in reverse, trying to erase Trump's wild talk about a US military takeover of the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, under the radar, Elon Musk was playing the real-life version of "SimGovernment," dismantling parts of the American bureaucracy like a kid taking apart a LEGO set. Musk, who apparently decides his own conflict of interest status (because why not?), has shifted his sights from USAID and the Treasury to the agencies handling Medicare and Medicaid—programs that keep a significant chunk of the population from turning into real-life Oliver Twists asking for more.

Musk’s grand plan to close down federal offices and slash funding has sparked protests nationwide, with people chanting, "Save our benefits, Musk!" This South African entrepreneur seems to think he's the new Noah, deciding which federal workers get a spot on the lifeboat of employment. All the while, the Republican Congress is sitting back, sipping tea, doing nothing, because apparently, they're cool with Trump playing "King of the Hill" with the government.

But fear not! The courts are still in the game, throwing legal wrenches into Trump's plans like they're playing Whack-A-Mole with executive overreach. Initial rulings are slamming down on Trump, the first convicted felon to call the White House home, but legal eagles are whispering that this might all be part of the grand scheme.

Lawsuits are inevitably heading to the Supreme Court, where the conservative supermajority, who last year decided presidents should have immunity like superheroes, might just give Trump the keys to the kingdom. Or, you know, more power than he already has.

My Musings:

This scenario paints a picture of political theater where the antics of high-profile figures like Trump and Musk overshadow the real, impactful changes to government operations. The humor here underscores the absurdity of such actions, but it also highlights a serious concern: the erosion of checks and balances in government. While the focus is often on the sensational comments or actions, the quiet, systematic changes beneath could have long-lasting effects on public services and governance. It's a reminder that while we watch the show, we should also keep an eye on the script being rewritten in the background.

Big Tariff Shock Looms

Even if your company has never faced tariffs and has no direct dealings with China, Canada, or Mexico, prepare for potential impacts from the second Trump administration's tariff policies, as highlighted by PwC experts at the 2025 Tax Policy Media Breakfast.

According to Chris Desmond, PwC’s US global trade services principal, tariffs could deliver "a big shock to the operating model" for unprepared companies. However, there's substantial uncertainty around which countries will be targeted, the scale of tariffs, their implementation timeline, and even their actual imposition. Krishnan Chandrasekhar, PwC US tax leader, emphasized the role of tariffs as negotiation tools, a dynamic exemplified by the rapid escalation and de-escalation of US-Colombia tariff threats on January 26.

In this unpredictable environment, PwC recommends that business leaders engage in extensive scenario planning. Finance leaders should thoroughly understand how different tariffs could affect their "supply chain operating model down to the country, country of origin, and product," Desmond advised.

Trump's Tariff Tantrum Turns Canada Into Comedy Central

Looks like Trump thought he could bully Canada with tariffs like he was shooing a goose off his golf course, but oh boy, did he pick the wrong country for his antics. After he announced his 25% tariff threat, Canadians, known for their politeness, got a bit... un-Canadian. At sports arenas, instead of the usual respectful silence during the U.S. anthem, fans decided it was time for a good old-fashioned jeer fest. Social media lit up faster than a bonfire with hashtags like #BoycottUSA, and whispers of selling off those sunny Florida getaways were heard from Vancouver to Halifax. But the real kicker? Canada's contemplating giving the U.S. auto industry such a cold shoulder it might just freeze over, threatening layoffs colder than a Winnipeg winter. And in the ultimate twist of fate, Ontario's decided to give Elon Musk's Starlink the cold boot, because apparently, even space isn't safe from this trade tiff.

My Musings: This is less a trade war and more like watching Canada turn into the lead in a satirical sketch show where Trump's the punchline. It's as if the whole nation decided, "Enough with the nice guy act; let's show them how we really feel!" The image of Canadians at sports games booing the U.S. anthem is peak comedy - I can just see the headlines, "Canadian Politeness Officially on Hiatus." And the thought of Canada essentially saying, "Okay, but we'll take your cars and your internet with us," reeks of a plot from a dystopian sitcom where the quiet neighbor becomes the king of the hill.

The potential for more retaliation is like waiting for the next episode of this bizarre reality show where Canada, in its quiet, unassuming way, might just teach Trump a lesson in international manners - or the lack thereof. Who knew tariffs could be so entertaining?

How will Donald Trump’s victory affect banks, fintech, and tech?

An analysis of reactions of banking, fintech and tech leaders to the re-election of Donald Trump, tends to focus on the potential impacts across various sectors including finance, climate policy, banking, technology, fintech, and cryptocurrency. Here's a breakdown by key subject areas:

Economy and Markets: Analysts predict that Trump’s policies will focus on expanding U.S. fiscal policy, reducing regulation, and promoting aggressive trade tactics. Daniel Casali of Evelyn Partners notes the likelihood of tax cuts, which could benefit equities and drive growth. However, others warn that this economic boost may come with long-term global consequences.


Climate Policy: The administration’s stance is expected to be less focused on climate initiatives, echoing Trump’s first term, which could stall global climate progress unless other nations take up the slack. Garry White of Charles Stanley anticipates fewer regulations on fossil fuels and a decrease in subsidies for green investments, prioritizing domestic economic growth over environmental goals.


Banking Sector: Trump’s deregulation agenda could create a "boom" for banking, according to Wells Fargo’s Mike Mayo. Reduced regulatory oversight could improve banks' profitability, especially for major players like Citi, as it may lower compliance costs, increase lending, and bolster investment banking revenues.


Technology Sector: Many major tech figures, including Peter Thiel, back Trump due to anticipated tax cuts. Trump's policies may continue to favor big tech, reducing corporate tax rates further to stimulate tech-driven growth, though concerns about fiscal deficits might moderate the extent of these cuts.


Fintech Industry: Trump’s administration may ease regulatory requirements, which could allow more neobanks and new players to enter the market, as highlighted by DECTA’s Scott Dawson. While this could increase competition, there are concerns it may attract low-quality entrants, leading to a “race to the bottom” in fintech standards.


Cryptocurrency: Trump’s presidency is viewed as highly favorable for cryptocurrency. His connections with influential tech figures, like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, signal strong support for crypto, with bitcoin recently surging to a record high. Proponents, like Nigel Green from deVere Group, believe Trump’s backing could drive institutional investment and mainstream adoption of crypto. However, data from Zellix reveals that pro-crypto sentiment is also high in states voting Democrat.

In summary, Trump’s election brings expectations of economic expansion through tax cuts and deregulation, benefiting traditional finance, banking, and tech sectors. Yet, it may also increase volatility, environmental setbacks, and raise questions about fintech regulation and crypto investment pathways.

Trump’s $355M Penalty: New York Lawyer Breaks Down the Impacts - WSJ

A New York judge ordered Donald Trump and his business to pay $355 million for misrepresenting his wealth for financial gain. Veteran New York trial and appellate lawyer Mark Zauderer explains what’s at stake for Trump’s business empire.

Donald Trump's Criminal Charges: A Legal Analysis

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records after a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict him for his alleged role in arranging a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. 

Ashby Jones of the Wall Street Journal explains what you need to know about the charges.

How Trump’s Taxes Became Public — And What They Reveal

A yearslong legal battle for President Trump’s tax returns has finally ended. And it’s yielded 6 years of his detailed returns. WSJ explains what we learned about Trump's income and how the returns were made public.