Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the formation of the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force, whose mission is to “further eliminate waste within state government, save taxpayers money, and ensure accountability in Florida.”
The announcement said the Florida State DOGE Task Force will:
- Eliminate Bureaucracy
- Review Colleges and Universities
- Further Examine State Agencies
- Audit Local Governments
- Return Unused & Surplus Federal Dollars
Now, one month later, DeSantis has announced that Florida is already refunding over $878 million to the U.S. Treasury.
In a post on X Friday evening, DeSantis wrote, “For years, Florida has been trying to return federal funds to the federal government due to the ideological strings attached by the Biden Administration—but they couldn’t even figure out how to accept it.
“Today, I met with @elonmusk and the DOGE team, and we got this done in the same day. Other states should follow Florida in supporting DOGE’s efforts!”
DeSantis then included a copy from a letter he sent to the Department of Treasury on Friday, which reads:
“At the director of Governor DeSantis and following his meeting with Elon Musk today, the State of Florida is formally returning $878,112,000 in taxpayer dollars to the federal government as part of DOGE’s efforts.
“We will also continue to identify other unused or surplus federal funding granted to Florida and determine if further refunds can be made. We hope our actions serve as a model for other states to follow.”
For years, Florida has been trying to return federal funds to the federal government due to the ideological strings attached by the Biden Administration—but they couldn’t even figure out how to accept it. Today, I met with @elonmusk and the DOGE team, and we got this done in the… pic.twitter.com/uWyloPAhBU
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 21, 2025
Fox News host Laura Ingraham wrote, “Florida just returned $878 MILLION in unused federal funds. Thanks to @GovRonDeSantis and @elonmusk, taxpayers win again. This is what real leadership and accountability look like. More savings. Less waste. Follow Florida’s lead.”
Elon Musk responded with two US flag emojis.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 22, 2025
In another post, Musk wrote, “Almost a billion dollars of your taxpayer money saved.”
Almost a billion dollars of your taxpayer money saved https://t.co/ZitGgZO41S
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 22, 2025
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) prodded his own governor, writing, “Gov. Newsom, it’s your turn.”
Gov Newsom, it’s your turn. https://t.co/1Dnp4yJgm3
— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) March 22, 2025
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