This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The initial goals indeed were lofty: For the Department of Government Efficiency to cut $2 trillion from federal spending by cutting out fraud, waste and corruption.

Even $1 trillion, discussed by many as realistic, was huge.

In just a few weeks, reports say, DOGE, run by Elon Musk, has found $55 billion to eliminate.

And it looks like a bit of that could end up coming back to taxpayers.

The Washington Examiner reports, "The Trump administration could be sending out $5,000 checks to millions of people next summer if Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have their way."

Musk said on social media he's checking with the president on the future of what proponents call a DOGE Dividend.

Early plans suggest 20% of what is saved could be sent back to taxpayers.

The report said, "If the idea moves forward, it is sure to face pushback, as have most of Trump and Musk's moves over the last month. Thousands of people have been laid off or fired throughout the federal government, and Democrats are staging protests almost daily outside various agencies or on the National Mall."

A report from Forbes said the idea was pitched by James Fishback of investment firm Azoria. He reportedly advises DOGE.

The report explained the plan is to return 20% of DOGE's targeted $2 trillion in savings to some 79 million tax-paying households.

Musk has confirmed that ultimately the decision would be up to President Trump.

Musk and his DOGE team have been working to cancel grants and contracts, reduce the federal workforce, and more. Multiple lawsuits have been filed, with some of the DOGE actions now on hold, while other judges have affirmed various moves, such as offering federal workers six months of paid leave in return for leaving government employment.

Fishback, in the report, was called "an outspoken supporter of Trump, Musk and DOGE" who considers DOGE "pro-taxpayer and anti-waste."