CITIZENS NEWS

DOGE uncovers $645 million in pandemic loans to children and centenarians, sparking fraud investigation

By isabelle // 2025-03-10

• DOGE uncovered $645 million in pandemic-era loans issued to borrowers as young as 11 and as old as 157, sparking national debate on government waste and fraud.
• President Trump criticized the fraud in a March 7 congressional address, emphasizing efforts to eliminate inefficiencies in federal programs.
• DOGE canceled 162 nonessential federal contracts, saving taxpayers $90 million, but faces legal challenges over privacy concerns and data access.
• Critics argue DOGE’s methods are intrusive, while supporters praise its mission to save $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars and improve government accountability.
• The findings highlight pervasive fraud and inefficiency, with DOGE leading efforts to restore trust and streamline federal operations.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars in shocking pandemic-era loans issued to borrowers as young as 11 years old and as old as 157. The findings have sparked a nationwide conversation about government waste and fraud, with President Donald Trump addressing the issue in his recent speech to Congress. DOGE, led by Elon Musk, reported that the Small Business Administration (SBA) granted 5,593 loans worth $312 million to borrowers whose only listed owner was 11 years old or younger during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a separate post, DOGE also revealed that 3,095 loans totaling $333 million were issued to individuals listed as over 115 years old, including one borrower who was recorded as being 157 years old. “While it is possible to have business arrangements where this is legal, that is highly unlikely for these 5,593 loans, as they all also used a [Social Security number] with the incorrect name,” DOGE stated in a post on X.

Trump addresses government waste in Congress

President Trump highlighted the issue during his March 7 address to Congress, criticizing the widespread fraud and inefficiency in federal programs. “I know some people who are rather elderly but not quite that elderly,” Trump quipped, referencing the millions of centenarians listed in the Social Security database. “Money is being paid to many of them, and we are searching right now.” Trump’s remarks underscored the administration’s commitment to rooting out waste and fraud, a mission spearheaded by DOGE. Since its inception under the second Trump administration, DOGE has been combing through federal agency data to identify and eliminate unnecessary spending.

DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts face legal challenges

Despite its successes, DOGE has faced significant pushback. On March 7, a coalition of labor unions filed a motion in federal court seeking to block DOGE’s access to Social Security data, citing privacy concerns. Judges have raised questions about the agency’s sweeping cost-cutting efforts, though they have not yet ruled to restrict its access to government systems. DOGE has also canceled 162 nonessential federal contracts, including a $10.3 million Department of Agriculture contract designed to “identify unnecessary contracts.” These terminations are expected to save taxpayers $90 million.

A mission to save taxpayer dollars

DOGE’s findings have reignited debates about government accountability. Critics argue that the agency’s methods are overly intrusive, while supporters praise its efforts to save taxpayer dollars. “The executive DOGE team is confident, they think they can get $1 trillion,” one lawmaker familiar with the agency’s work told Fox News Digital. “Now, we’ll see, right? And the thing is, he acknowledged that we’re going to make mistakes, but we’re going to correct them very quickly.” As investigations into the fraudulent loans continue, DOGE remains at the forefront of the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government operations. With billions of dollars potentially at stake, the agency’s work could have far-reaching implications for federal spending and accountability. The discovery of $645 million in loans to children and centenarians highlights the pervasive issue of government waste and fraud. While DOGE’s efforts have drawn criticism, its mission to save taxpayer dollars and restore trust in federal programs is more critical than ever. As President Trump and his administration continue to tackle these challenges, the nation remains hopeful for a more efficient and accountable government. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com ZeroHedge.com FoxNews.com

corruption government waste big government deception government debt covid-19 pandemic loans moneysupply DOGE