This article was originally published by Belle Carter at Natural News.
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- Elon Musk posted a poll on X asking if his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should audit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which received nearly one million responses, with 52 percent voting “Yes” and 41 percent voting “F Yes,” reflecting public frustration with government inefficiency and Musk’s growing influence.
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- Musk claimed to have “deleted” 18F, a federal digital services agency, but the agency and its IRS Direct File program remain operational, leading to questions about the accuracy of his statements and the nature of his reforms.
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- DOGE, under Musk’s leadership, aims to increase transparency and efficiency in government spending. It has taken control of the Treasury Department‘s payment system and claims to have saved $1 billion daily through various cuts and freezes, though these actions lack congressional oversight and have been criticized for potential disruptions to essential services.
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- Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and other Republicans support the IRS audit, aligning with broader efforts to increase accountability within the tax agency. Ernst introduced the Audit the IRS Act earlier this year, emphasizing the need for transparency and efficiency.
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- Musk’s approach to government reform is criticized for being poorly communicated and lacking transparency. There are growing concerns about the legality and constitutionality of his actions, with some warning of a potential constitutional crisis, while supporters see it as a necessary step to reduce government waste.
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of X, formerly Twitter, ignited a firestorm of debate this week after posting a poll on the platform asking users whether his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should audit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The poll, which garnered nearly one million responses within hours, showed overwhelming support for the idea, with 52 percent voting “Yes” and 41 percent choosing the more emphatic “F Yes.” Only seven percent opposed the proposal. The results reflect growing public frustration with government inefficiency and Musk’s increasing influence over federal operations.
The poll comes on the heels of Musk’s announcement that he had “deleted” 18F, a federal digital services agency that worked on projects like the IRS’s Direct File program. While Musk claimed the agency was eliminated, its website and the Direct File program remain operational, leaving many to question the accuracy of his statements.
The proposal to audit the IRS also aligns with broader efforts by Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who has long advocated for greater accountability within the tax agency. Ernst, who introduced the Audit the IRS Act earlier this year, has been a vocal advocate for holding the agency accountable.
Musk’s call for an IRS audit is part of a larger mission by DOGE to overhaul federal agencies, eliminate waste and increase transparency in government spending. Since being appointed a “special government employee” by President Donald Trump, Musk has positioned DOGE as a watchdog for taxpayer dollars. According to its website, DOGE aims to “decentralize the narrative around government spending, giving power back to the people to hold government entities accountable for their financial decisions.”
The organization has already taken significant steps to reshape federal operations. DOGE has assumed control over the Department of the Treasury‘s payment system, which distributes Social Security and Medicare benefits. It has reportedly saved the government $1 billion a day by freezing hiring, cutting diversity initiatives, and halting payments to foreign organizations. (Related: Elon Musk’s DOGE gains access to Treasury payment systems, sparks bureaucratic clash and resignation.)
The potential IRS audit would add to DOGE’s growing portfolio of government reforms. Critics of the IRS have long accused the agency of inefficiency and overreach, particularly in light of its expanded funding under recent legislation.
Confusion over 18F and direct file
Musk’s announcement that he had “deleted” 18F added another layer of controversy to the week’s events. The agency was described by Musk as a “far-left” organization that put the government in charge of tax preparation.
The confusion surrounding 18F highlights the challenges of Musk’s approach to government reform. While his supporters applaud his efforts to cut waste and increase efficiency, critics argue that his actions are often poorly communicated and lack transparency.
“This is not how government should operate,” said one Treasury Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Decisions like these need to be made through proper channels, not on social media.”
The public response to Musk’s poll was swift and decisive, with “F Yes” trending on X within hours of its posting. However, the proposal has also drawn criticism from those who see it as a politically motivated attack on the IRS.
“This is about more than just auditing the IRS,” said one political analyst. “It’s about undermining public trust in government institutions and consolidating power in the hands of a few individuals.”
The debate over DOGE’s role in government oversight is likely to intensify in the coming months. As Musk continues to push for reforms, questions about the legality and constitutionality of his actions will remain at the forefront. Critics warn that his aggressive approach could lead to a constitutional crisis, while supporters argue that it is a necessary step toward reducing government waste and inefficiency.
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