Elon Musk is once again making headlines—this time for taking a noticeable step back from his involvement with DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency. If you’ve been following this federal cost-cutting initiative, you know Musk has been a key figure pushing it forward. But in May 2025, everything changed.
Sources close to Tesla confirmed that Musk is reducing his weekly time on government business to just one or two days. The reason? Tesla’s rough year. The electric car giant reported a staggering 71% drop in profits for the first quarter, and now its board is reportedly searching for someone to potentially replace Musk as CEO.
That move alone raised eyebrows—but the ripple effect might be even bigger for everyday Americans, especially those hoping for a $5,000 payout from the so-called “DOGE Dividend.”
What’s the DOGE Program, and Why Were People Expecting Money?
Let’s rewind for a second. DOGE (not to be confused with Dogecoin) is a government initiative launched under former President Trump. The goal? Cut wasteful government spending and run the federal system more like a business. Sounds great in theory.
The program claimed it had saved the country a whopping $160 billion already, thanks to ideas like streamlining contracts, slashing red tape, and trimming unnecessary jobs. Musk, always a fan of efficiency, loved it.
But one bold proposal really caught people’s attention: giving regular Americans a slice of the savings. The idea, pushed by entrepreneur James Fishback, was simple—take 20% of the $2 trillion in projected government savings and send it back to U.S. taxpayers. That would mean a $5,000 check for nearly 80 million households.
Sounds great, right? There’s just one problem.
So, Are We Still Getting the $5,000?
Right now, the answer is… probably not.
While DOGE officials say they’ve saved $55 billion so far, outside experts suggest the real savings might be closer to just $8.6 billion. If those estimates are accurate, the payout would come out to just $21.50 per household—not quite enough to get excited about.
And even if the money was there, it wouldn’t be a done deal. The plan would still need to make it through Congress—and that’s where things get even messier.
Several top Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have already come out against the idea. They’re worried about inflation and argue that giving away money could do more harm than good, especially if the government’s still spending at high levels elsewhere.
Trump Supports It—But Can It Survive Without Musk?
Interestingly, Donald Trump himself has supported the $5,000 idea. He’s hinted that 20% of DOGE savings could go to taxpayers, with another 20% going toward reducing the national debt.
But with Musk stepping back, it’s unclear who would push the plan forward. Musk’s star power gave DOGE national attention. Without him at the center of it, the program may struggle to maintain the same momentum.
Some insiders believe Musk will still be involved behind the scenes, giving advice to the Trump team when needed. But for now, he’s turning his focus back to Tesla—and trying to get that company back on track.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you were holding out hope for a $5,000 stimulus check from DOGE, this news might feel like a letdown. While the idea captured a lot of public interest, the numbers just don’t seem to support it right now. Between budget questions, political pushback, and Musk’s partial departure, the promise of a major payout is looking more like a long shot.
That said, don’t count DOGE out entirely. The program is still active, and with election season heating up, politicians on both sides may revisit bold ideas like this one to win favor with voters.
For now, though, the $5,000 check remains more of a “what if” than a “when.”
