logo
episode-header-image
Sep 25
28m 40s

#570 | DOGE | Elon Musk's Quest to Shrin...

Leonardo English
About this episode

 


The Department of Governmental Efficiency, otherwise known as DOGE, was a radical plan to cut government waste and reduce spending.

 

Where did the idea come from? How did it work? And crucially, did it do what it set out to do?

 
  • Background to DOGE: Department of Governmental Efficiency
  • Controversial email to federal employees
  • Elon Musk's influence and Twitter comparison
  • Restructuring of USDS into DOGE
  • DOGE's cost-saving objectives and claims
  • Layoffs and budget cuts in various departments
  • Criticism over foreign aid cuts and their impact
  • Accounting errors and inflated savings claims
  • Public protests and Musk's departure
  • Future of DOGE and its divisive legacy

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/doge-elon-musk

---

You might like:

🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]

📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership

📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter

---

Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

Up next
Nov 20
#580 | Operation Valkyrie & The Plot To Kill Hitler
<p><strong> </strong></p><br><p>On 20 July 1944, a bomb ripped through a meeting room in Hitler’s Wolf’s Lair. </p> <br> <p>This episode tells how Operation Valkyrie *almost* managed to kill Adolf Hitler, and the vicious crackdown that came afterwards.</p> <br> <ul> <li>The Wolf ... Show More
21m 55s
Nov 6
#577 | A Short History Of Universities
In part one of a three-part mini-series on the theme of "university", we go on a whirlwind tour of the history of universities, from medieval student guilds in Bologna to the modern day. The University of Bologna nears its thousand-year anniversary. Why universities emerged: stab ... Show More
22m 44s
Oct 23
#575 | The Science of Happiness: Can It Be Measured?
What does happiness really mean, and can it be measured? In this episode, we move from Aristotle’s eudaimonia to brain scans, surveys, big data, and what truly lifts our mood. It asks why money only helps so much, why social ties matter, and how trust shapes national well-being. ... Show More
22m 54s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
DOGE and the United States of AI
Across the United States and in some cities abroad yesterday, protestors took to the streets to resist the policies of US President Donald Trump. Dubbed the "Hands Off" protests, over 1,400 events took place, including in New York City, where protestors called for billionaire Elo ... Show More
53m 58s
Jun 2023
[305] Learning English with Artificial Intelligence - AI
In today's episode I introduce you to AI - Artificial Intelligence. I cover the pros and cons of using AI to learn English and also list three AI tools you could start using today. Enjoy :) *** Learn English with AI: englishmadesimple.net/AI ***LINK TO THE SURVEY: englishmadesi ... Show More
14m 12s
Feb 2025
Easy English-Brexit and Economy Words Ep 797
Have you ever wondered what happened after Brexit? Did disaster strike the UK's trade, immigration, and travel? In this episode, we examine key Brexit vocabulary and explore how changes in the UK economy, trade rules, and travel affect everyday life. You'll learn all about simple ... Show More
14m 27s
Mar 2025
What Is DOGE’s Real Goal?
<p>The so-called Department of Government Efficiency is great branding. Who could be against a more efficient government? But “efficiency” obfuscates what’s really happening here.</p><p>Efficiency to what end? Elon Musk, President Trump and DOGE’s boosters have offered various ob ... Show More
1h 11m
Jan 2025
#426 - How I Use CONNECTORS and FILLERS to Speak English More Fluently — Learn This to Stop Sounding Like a Robot in English
<p>Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the <span style="color: rgb(35, 111, 161);"><a style= "color: rgb(35, 111, 161);" href= "https://reallifeglobal.com/app/">RealLife App</a>.</span></p> <p>If you have the issue of sounding like a robot when you speak English and n ... Show More
33m 56s
Apr 2025
Elon Musk a-t-il réussi sa mission à la tête du DOGE ?
<p>Aux Etats-Unis, trois mois seulement après sa création, le département de l’efficacité gouvernementale (Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE) accumule les critiques et les revers. A telle enseigne que son dirigeant semble s’en détacher. «&nbsp;Mon temps alloué au DOGE va ... Show More
24m 42s
Jul 2025
How To Stop Being SHY When Speaking English, Introversion vs Shyness & Useful Tips
🔥Join my Speaking Accelerator Program:https://www.englishwiththiago.com/speaking-program-1🎯Pronunciation Course (International Students):https://www.englishwiththiago.com/pronunciation-course🇧🇷 Pronunciation Course (Brazilian Students):https://bit.ly/pronunciation-brazilians� ... Show More
36m 9s
Dec 2024
The Best Way to Learn English-Real UK News Stories Ep 787
What happens when governments and big businesses overlook the obvious? In the UK, millions of homes are built on flood-prone land, storms are wreaking havoc, and frustrated farmers are taking to the streets! 🌧️🚜 How do these stories connect to our daily lives—and our English le ... Show More
14m 12s
Mar 2025
Business English News 59 – DeepSeek
<p>Learn business English vocabulary related to technology in this lesson on DeepSeek.</p> >>> The post <a href="https://www.businessenglishpod.com/2025/03/02/business-english-news-59-deepseek/">Business English News 59 – DeepSeek</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.busine ... Show More
6m 47s
Feb 2025
Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart
President Donald Trump wants the world's richest man, Elon Musk, to shrink the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency. And one of DOGE's first targets? USAID, the agency that focuses on foreign assistance. We talk to a USAID worker who is out of work t ... Show More
25m 29s