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DOGE’s Financial Dynamics: Savings vs. Taxpayer Costs

As part of Elon Musk’s initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims to have saved $160 billion by reducing wasteful government spending. However, an analysis highlights that these savings might come at a hefty price of $135 billion to taxpayers, according to a nonpartisan group.

The Financial Breakdown

The analysis by the Partnership for Public Service (PSP) points to costs from furloughing federal employees, re-hiring, and inefficiencies. They calculate this using the $270 billion federal workforce compensation, excluding legal defense costs and IRS staff reductions, potentially impacting $323 billion in future tax revenue.

Understanding the Implications

DOGE’s encouragement of early resignation has left employees benefiting from full pay without work. Mistakes in firing key roles, like bird flu experts, have led agencies to backtrack. The productivity drop due to new bureaucratic demands is another cost dimension. Max Stier of PSP commented on the stark contrast between stated goals and visible outcomes.

Broader Economic Impacts

Potential long-term impacts could touch sectors like health research, forecasting a $16 billion yearly economic downturn and loss of 68,000 jobs, echoed by academic analyses. DOGE must navigate between its ambitious $2 trillion savings target, a figure that treads on core programs like Social Security.

Despite criticism, DOGE maintains a public record of alleged savings on their “wall of receipts”, though scrutiny has questioned some claims. This context aligns with Tesla’s challenges, directly affecting Musk’s focus on DOGE.

Musk’s Role and Future Prospects

Elon Musk plans to scale back his DOGE involvement, following Tesla’s profit dip. However, he remains dedicated to reducing government waste, underpinning the president’s mission.

Global Investment Migration: Leading Residence And Citizenship Programs For 2026

European Dominance Challenged By Global Contenders

The 2026 edition of the Henley & Partners Residence and Citizenship Programs report shows increasing competition in the investment migration market. European programs, traditionally seen as the global benchmark, are now facing stronger competition from jurisdictions in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean as countries expand offerings aimed at attracting capital and internationally mobile investors.

New Entrants And Rapid Climbers Reshape The Landscape

Malta remains ranked first in the Global Citizenship Program Index for the 11th consecutive year, while Greece retains the top position in the Global Residence Program Index. At the same time, several jurisdictions improved their standings. The UAE moved from fifth to a joint second position, entering the top three for the first time. Countries including Costa Rica, New Zealand, Panama, and Singapore also gained ground, while Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives appeared as new entrants.

Competing For Capital And Global Talent

Governments increasingly use residence and citizenship frameworks as tools to attract foreign investment and entrepreneurial talent. According to Henley & Partners Chairman Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Europe remains a strong player, but countries such as Singapore and the UAE are accelerating reforms to strengthen their appeal to globally mobile investors.

Established Leaders And Agile Newcomers In Citizenship Programs

The Global Citizenship Program Index continues to be led by established programs. Malta’s citizenship-by-merit framework scored 77 points, maintaining its leading position, while Austria followed with a highly selective model. Programs in Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Nauru also received strong rankings. New entrants such as São Tomé and Príncipe and Samoa reflect a broader expansion of citizenship-based offerings.

European Consolidation And Emerging Residence Hubs

In the residence category, Greece remains first, supported by EU access and lifestyle advantages. Italy, Switzerland, and the UAE continue to compete closely, combining tax efficiency with investor-oriented policies. Portugal and Australia maintain strong positions, while Uruguay is emerging as a stable option with growing international interest.

Performance Metrics And Strategic Advantages

Both indexes evaluate 40 programs across factors including reputation, quality of life, compliance standards, investment requirements, and tax considerations. Austria and Malta scored strongly on program quality, while the UAE ranked highly in lifestyle and tax competitiveness. The rankings highlight how jurisdictions are positioning themselves to attract globally mobile capital.

Wealth On The Move

The report points to a broader shift in global wealth mobility. According to Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, investors increasingly prioritize stability, transparency, and clear long-term pathways when choosing residence or citizenship options.

As global uncertainty persists, residence and citizenship programs are increasingly viewed not only as investment tools but as strategic instruments for long-term mobility and risk diversification.

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