Trump Promised Cuts—But Spending Soared

Donald Trump returned to the White House with bold promises to slash government spending. However, his first 100 days as the 47th president have seen a dramatic increase in federal outlays—$220 billion more than the same period under President Biden last year.

Sweeping Orders, Big Moves

Since January, Trump has signed a wave of executive orders. Among the most controversial: renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and shutting down the Department of Education. That decision is now facing legal challenges.

To curb government waste, Trump appointed Elon Musk to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency claims it has saved $170 billion through asset sales, canceled contracts, fraud crackdowns, and staffing cuts. However, no independent source has verified these savings.

Where Is the Money Going?

Despite DOGE’s savings claims, federal spending has surged. CBS News reports that current spending levels are the highest in a decade—excluding the exceptional COVID-19 spike in 2021.

Medicare and Social Security have absorbed a major share of the increase, with a combined $37 billion rise over last year. Additional spending has gone to interest payments on Treasury debt, the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Agriculture.

Public Reactions and Job Cuts

The public has noticed the spending surge. One YouTube commenter remarked sarcastically, “So much for the government spending cuts.”

In response, Trump’s administration has launched mass layoffs across multiple agencies, especially in education. Trump defended the cuts, calling them essential.
“We’re trimming the fat,” he told The Independent in late March. “In a few months, we’ll have a team fully committed to this country and this administration.”