Forty-one percent of DOGE-listed lease terminations predated DOGE
Reporting and findings
- documented
GAO found that 108 of 264 lease terminations displayed by DOGE had been initiated before DOGE began, meaning 40.9 percent could not be attributed to its intervention.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: DOGE Wall of Receipts: More Transparency Needed on How Savings Are Derived from Contract, Grant, and Lease TerminationsPassages and source records documenting: Forty-one percent of DOGE-listed lease terminations predated DOGE
- documented
Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.
- The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
- documented
Russell Vought was the Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director.
- United States Senate: Roll Call Vote 37: Confirmation of Russell VoughtAppointment or biography record identifying Russell Vought as Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director
Summary and current status
DOGE claimed credit for 108 property actions already underway before the operation existed.
GAO identified 108 of 264 listed leases as pre-DOGE actions
People and organizations
- Russell VoughtTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director
- Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
- General Services Administrationfederal landlord whose lease records were audited
- Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action
Relationships in this file
- Elon Muskclaimed credit for lease actions begun before DOGEGeneral Services Administration
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB directorRussell Vought
Figures
Lease terminations initiated before DOGE108 leases Calculation details
- Basis
- Observed
- Population
- 264 DOGE-listed lease terminations
- Period
- 2025-01-20 to 2026-07-07
- Method
- GAO compared termination initiation dates with DOGE's creation date.
- Uncertainty
- Attribution finding does not assess whether later DOGE work accelerated an action.