Even though President Trump pledged to slash spending during his campaign and early presidency, the federal government spent about $220 billion more in his first 100 days than it did during the same period the year before.

In fact, daily government spending is now higher than in nine of the last ten years—the only exception being 2021, when trillions were spent fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and averting economic collapse.

CBS News analyzed the Treasury Department’s daily financial statements to track the flow of money from government accounts since Mr. Trump resumed office. Here’s what the data reveals.

First 100 Days See Sharp Rise in Spending

Spending during the early months of the Trump administration is over $200 billion higher than during the same timeframe in the previous year.

That may seem surprising given the administration’s frequent announcements of layoffs, canceled contracts, and fraud elimination—efforts led by Mr. Trump and the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—along with broader efforts to trim government spending.

Part of the explanation lies in how the federal budget works. Major expenses—like Social Security, Medicare, and retirement benefits—are hard for the White House to control or overhaul quickly.

Politics also play a major role. Many Trump voters and congressional Republicans resist cuts to military operations or veteran care, which make up a large portion of the federal budget.

Biggest Spending Categories in Trump’s First 100 Days

An analysis of the Treasury’s daily account reports shows that military payments and support for seniors account for many of the most consistent and significant spending increases.

Since the government continues to outspend its revenue, the national debt keeps climbing. With interest rates on the rise, the cost of servicing that debt is growing quickly. In fact, interest payments over the last three months are nearly double what they were three years ago.

Treasury Daily Statements reflect only the cash interest paid to public debt holders. Other parts of the government’s debt obligations add even more to the cost.

Workforce Cuts Face Legal Pushback

One of the few areas where the Trump administration has some influence is the civilian federal workforce. Elon Musk and DOGE have targeted this through layoffs and buyouts. However, many of these moves face legal hurdles that have delayed or even reversed the terminations.

Despite publicized reductions, one of the biggest spending increases early in Trump’s second term is still federal employee salaries. Workers received a 2% pay raise under an executive order signed by President Biden just before Christmas—an action allowed due to Congress’ delay on a permanent budget.

Salaries and Entitlements Dominate Federal Spending

The biggest spending categories remain the military, veterans, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and debt payments. Together, they accounted for nearly two-thirds of all federal spending last fiscal year. That ratio has remained mostly unchanged for a decade.

Most of DOGE’s budget-cutting efforts so far have steered clear of those major programs. Instead, they’ve focused on smaller, more politically symbolic areas such as foreign aid, education, and college grants—which appeal more to President Trump’s core supporters.

“If the savings are rather small and the pain is high, DOGE is going to be a liability,” said Nat Malkus, a senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute who monitors DOGE’s efforts.

“If you really want to cut federal spending, you’re going to have to cut into the programs where the lion’s share of the money is. That’s Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security—and we spend a lot on interest,” Malkus added.

VA Disability Payments Increased in May: Check If You’re Getting the Extra $100 in Your Deposit

Notable Cuts So Far

While some agencies have seen one-year spending drops, CBS News took a closer look at where those reductions have occurred since Mr. Trump returned to office.

DOGE’s Promised Cuts Under Scrutiny

DOGE has zeroed in on smaller budget areas within federal programs. On its website, the office claims to have saved $160 billion so far through canceled grants, contracts, leases, and reductions in the federal workforce.

Their public-facing “wall of receipts” lists some of these cuts, with the biggest savings reportedly coming from the Health and Human Services Department, General Services Administration, Education Department, Labor Department, and the Office of Personnel Management.

However, less than 40%—around $60 billion—of the claimed $160 billion in savings is itemized on the site. And some of those entries contain errors and weak documentation.

Even if the entire $160 billion figure were accurate, it would still be minuscule compared to the full federal budget and the ballooning national debt.

CBS News notes that the government has spent about $220 billion more than last year—and that’s just in the first three months.

The supposed savings represent less than 2% of a full-year budget. That’s comparable to a household with $10,000 in monthly bills managing to save just $200.

Supporters of DOGE argue that the cost-cutting is vital to eliminate fraud, curb waste, and chip away at the debt. But the Treasury Department reports that the national debt now stands at $36 trillion.

That means DOGE’s $160 billion in savings is roughly 0.5% of the total debt—similar to a family with $10,000 in credit card debt paying off just $50.

An independent review by the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan group studying the federal workforce, recently found that the disruptions caused by DOGE may have actually cost taxpayers $135 million.

Elon Musk has since stated that his involvement with DOGE is nearing its end.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.