Florida Returns $878 Million in Federal Funds Following DeSantis-Musk Meeting

Governor Ron DeSantis cites ideological conditions under the Biden administration as the reason for the return, facilitated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the return of $878 million in federal funds to the U.S. Treasury, citing ideological conditions imposed by the Biden administration.
The decision followed a meeting between DeSantis and Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established by Donald Trump to address government waste.
DeSantis stated that Florida had been attempting to return the funds for years but was previously unable to do so under the Biden administration.
The Florida DOGE task force, created in February 2025, will continue identifying surplus federal funds for potential return.
DeSantis encouraged other states to adopt similar measures, while Musk praised the move as a significant taxpayer savings.