Why I joined DOGE

Planet Money

2025/06/14

Overview Shownote Highlights Transcript Chapters Pins

Shownote

What was it like to work inside Elon Musk's DOGE? The cost-cutting initiative promised transparency, but most of its actions have been shrouded in secrecy.For months, there were reports of software engineers and Trump loyalists entering agencies and access...

Highlights

This podcast delves into the experiences of Sahil Lavingia, a former employee of DOGE, a controversial initiative aimed at cutting costs in the federal government. Through his journey at the Department of Veteran Affairs, Sahil provides unique insights into the inner workings and challenges of this secretive program.

05:55

Sahil felt his experience slimming down his company could help DOGE slim down the federal government.

20:07

Sahil built an AI tool named Contract Muncher to flag VA contracts for cuts.

27:25

Sahil Lavingia realized federal government is better-run than expected.

Chapters

Why Join a Controversial Initiative?

00:00

What Did Sahil Learn Inside DOGE?

11:24

Can Cost-Cutting Truly Transform Government?

27:25

Transcript

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