The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has released a set of findings after conducting an initial review of federal unemployment insurance claims filed since 2020.
According to DOGE’s report, tens of thousands of individuals who were either far too old, far too young—or not even born yet—somehow received unemployment benefits during and after the COVID-era spike in claims. Among the examples: over 24,500 people listed as being more than 115 years old received $59 million.
Roughly 28,000 individuals between the ages of one and five received a staggering $254 million. And in what may be the most baffling data point, more than 9,700 people with birthdates more than 15 years in the future managed to collect $69 million in payments.
One of those claims came from a person allegedly born in the year 2154, who received $41,000.
The findings were posted Tuesday night on DOGE’s official account on X, quickly sparking widespread reaction.
Elon Musk, who was appointed by the White House to lead DOGE earlier this year, commented on the report directly: “Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future! This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in.”
The report has already drawn sharp reactions from lawmakers, watchdogs, and the public. The White House defended its decision to bring in Musk, citing these findings as proof that government accountability efforts are long overdue.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) wrote in response, “Reckless incompetence.”
Just days after liberal activists unloaded on Democrats for failing to fight back, House Democrats are unveiling a bill to assert oversight over DOGE. Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Stephen Lynch (D-MA) are introducing the “DOGE Accountability and Transparency Act,” which would require weekly reports from DOGE detailing every agency change, firing, budget cut, relocation, and internal data use.
“We should not allow Elon Musk to recklessly take a chainsaw to our federal government; he must answer to Congress and provide real, regular updates on DOGE’s actions,” Schneider said.
“We cannot let President Trump’s version of ‘Wreck-it-Ralph’ distract us while Elon Musk continues to gut agencies that are responsible for providing American families with essential needs and services,” Lynch added.
Though symbolic for now—since Republicans control the House—the bill comes as Democrats face pressure after Saturday’s “Hands Off” protests, where progressives accused them of doing too little. The bill would also force DOGE to disclose a personnel registry and justify its firings. According to Axios, the five-page legislation would mandate the first report be submitted within a week, covering all DOGE activity since Trump returned to office.
Still, GOP leadership is unlikely to give it oxygen. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who now holds a firmer grip after two recent special elections, is focused on consolidating Senate proposals with Trump’s spending bill.
With Republicans holding 219 seats to the Democrats’ 213, Schneider, Lynch, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) are on the outside looking in. Jeffries has even challenged Johnson to a floor debate—another likely nonstarter.
