Despite Donald Trump’s pledges to slash federal spending, the government spent approximately $220 billion more in the first 100 days of his second term than during the same period last year, according to a CBS News analysis of Treasury data.
Spending increases were driven by Medicare, Social Security, military salaries, veterans’ benefits, and interest on the national debt—categories Trump and Congress have shown little appetite to cut. In contrast, departments like Education, State, and USAID saw notable reductions.
Trump’s cost-cutting agency, the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claims $160 billion in savings through workforce cuts and contract cancellations. However, independent analysts estimate the real number is closer to $80 billion, and note the reductions are too small to meaningfully impact the $36 trillion national debt.
Although federal layoffs were announced, Biden-era pay raises and delayed legal challenges have kept salary costs high.
Analysts say meaningful cuts would require reductions in entitlement and defense spending, which remain politically untouchable.
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