DOGE Dissolution: The 294-day Political Meme Coin Experiment Concludes

A government department named after the Dogecoin symbol has simply disappeared.

294 days. From a high-profile debut to a quiet disbandment, the lifespan of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is eerily similar to those fleeting meme coins in the crypto world. U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Cooper recently publicly confirmed: “It no longer exists.”

This department was born with the DNA of crypto culture. Its name directly borrowed from Dogecoin’s code, its official website featured Shiba Inu images, and a photo of Elon Musk holding a chainsaw was accompanied by the caption “Chainsaw prepared for bureacracy”—the whole operation, rather than being a serious government institution, was more like a meme-driven political experiment.

The story started with memes

On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order establishing DOGE on his inauguration day. The name was very familiar to the crypto community. Elon Musk, a staunch supporter of Dogecoin, directly embedded crypto meme culture into the political arena.

The website design was even more crypto-themed. The familiar Dogecoin logo and Shiba Inu symbols were everywhere. This design completely deconstructed the seriousness of traditional government agencies, breaking the stereotypical image of bureaucracy.

Elon Musk’s promotional approach on X (formerly Twitter) was just as provocative as when he hyped Dogecoin. Chainsaw photos paired with rallying slogans—such tactics are common in the crypto circle. The naming and dissemination of DOGE essentially represented a new kind of political communication experiment—borrowing from internet meme culture, using humor to subvert tradition, and attempting to capture the younger generation and digital natives.

Silicon Valley style enters Washington

DOGE’s operating style was more like a startup than a government agency. Musk recruited about 50 young people in their twenties, called “doughboys,” wearing hoodies and jeans, fueled by Red Bull, shuttling between various offices daily.

Their work pace was extremely aggressive. Within just three weeks, the team had placed personnel in major federal agencies, controlling funding flows and screening contract projects. AI became a core tool—from contract allocations to employee reimbursements, all data-driven. AI quickly identified wasteful processes, such as vacant government buildings, which were then leased out immediately—saving reportedly $150 million.

This “fast action, breaking conventions” Silicon Valley spirit sparked fierce conflicts in Washington. DOGE demanded federal employees submit weekly reports; those who did not were considered resigned. Not showing up? Treated as administrative leave. Such tactics were almost unheard of in the traditional political ecosystem.

The narrative collapses

The initial ambitious goals were wildly unrealistic. Musk said he wanted to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, and Ramachandran was even more aggressive, aiming to eliminate 70% of federal employees. These figures resembled exaggerated hype common in crypto—designed to attract attention and generate buzz.

Reality quickly revealed itself. DOGE claimed to have cut approximately $160 billion, which was less than one-fifth of Musk’s original target. A huge gap appeared between the grand narrative and actual implementation.

Worse, a report from the Senate Permanent Investigations Subcommittee claimed DOGE “wasted” over $21 billion in federal funds within six months. Energy Department loan programs were frozen, losing about $263 million in interest income; the International Development Agency (IDA) shutdown led to about $110 million worth of food and medicine rotting in warehouses.

DOGE’s operations triggered multiple backlashes. Democratic state attorneys general in 14 states sued Musk and Trump, accusing them of constitutional violations. The department faced nearly 20 lawsuits, including allegations of violating privacy laws and unauthorized access to sensitive government data.

The experiment ends prematurely

From a high-profile debut to a quiet exit, DOGE’s disbandment was starkly different from its birth.

In May this year, Musk announced he was stepping down from DOGE, and publicly clashed with Trump over the “Big and Beautiful” bill. During the summer, DOGE personnel gradually withdrew from headquarters, with security posts and authorized logos disappearing. This month, Office of Personnel Management Director Cooper publicly confirmed that DOGE no longer exists, with functions transferred to the Office of Personnel Management. The once-symbolic freeze on all government hiring also ended.

Members of the DOGE team found new roles within the government. Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia is now responsible for the National Design Studio, and Zachary Trele is the CTO at the Department of Health and Human Services. This indicates DOGE as an experimental endeavor has concluded, but some of its ideas are being integrated into traditional structures.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commented on X: “DOGE fought the Swamp, but the Swamp won.” This political meme-coin experiment ultimately ended in victory for the traditional political establishment.

The limits of symbols

The influence of symbolic economy in penetrating traditional politics is undeniable. Although DOGE exited early, it marked an irreversible deep integration of politics and crypto culture. In the future, we may see more political institutions and governance models with “crypto-native” characteristics.

The key is how to combine the innovative spirit of the crypto world with the stability of traditional governance to create new models that are both symbolically attractive and substantively effective.

Narratives are indeed powerful tools for building consensus. But narratives detached from technological implementation and real value creation are ultimately castles in the air. When meme symbols fade, what remains in this industry are those technologies and projects that solve real problems.

DOGE’s story reminds us: whether in crypto circles or in any field, relying solely on symbols and narratives won’t get you far. In the end, it’s all about returning to value itself.