Headline: Public Reacts to Trump’s First 100 Days: $220 Billion Spending Jump Despite Efficiency Pledges
Despite campaign promises to drastically cut federal spending, President Donald Trump’s initial 100 days back in office have seen a significant $220 billion increase in government expenditures compared to the same period in 2024, a CBS News analysis reveals. This surge directly contradicts Trump’s repeated vows to reduce government costs.
During his campaign, Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, claiming it would generate $170 billion in savings. However, these figures have yet to be independently verified.
Spending Increases Across Key Sectors
The spending hike is largely driven by increases in several key areas, including Medicare, Social Security, military funding, veterans’ services, debt interest, and agriculture. Immigration enforcement costs have also soared, with 350 deportation flights costing up to $27,000 per hour, pushing total estimated program costs to as high as $88 billion annually.
Workforce Cuts Amidst Rising Expenditures
While overall federal spending has climbed, the administration has simultaneously implemented substantial workforce reductions, particularly within the education sector. These cuts are part of a broader strategy to shrink government operations, which Trump has described as an effort to eliminate “bureaucratic fat.”
Contradictory Trends Raise Fiscal Questions
The CBS analysis highlights a critical tension between the administration’s new policy goals and its cost-cutting promises. While long-term savings might materialize, early data indicates a pattern of rising expenditures, even as the administration attempts to downsize specific programs. Observers and analysts remain skeptical about whether Trump’s spending strategy will ultimately align with his fiscal pledges as his term progresses.
