February 20, 2025
Bad with Math?
Claim
There is plenty to fact check in the news these days. A recent statement on the DOGE.gov website is attracting attention:
" DOGE's total estimated savings are $55 billion." source
A screen shot of one of the contract savings is shown below. The page shows a discrepancy between the number in the outlined box, $8,000,000.00, and the number at the bottom of the page, $8,000,000,000. Can you spot the difference? If so, you're better than the person who authored the erroneous information.
It's simply not the same number. Which should be believed? This is a black and white case of needing to put more trust in an authentic source document than in someone's commentary on it. Was it just a typo? If so, the second number is off by a factor of 1,000. Not a small typo. A larger version of the image may be found here.
The image is a screenshot of a contract cancellation of a "program and technical support services” for ICE’s Office of Diversity and Civil Rights, as described in federal records. DOGE cancelled a smaller number than they claimed. Why? Bad at math?
The $8 billion dollar amount is part of DOGE's $55 billion claim. Have they committed other errors as well?
To be safe, always search for an original source.
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