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Musk reflects on turbulent Doge tenure
Elon Musk stated in a recent podcast interview that he would not reprise his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) if given the chance, though he maintained the initiative achieved modest success in reducing federal spending under former President Donald Trump.
Doge's origins and objectives
Established by executive order on Trump's first day back in office, Doge was tasked with slashing government waste, eliminating redundant programs, and cutting federal jobs. Musk initially pledged potential annual savings of up to $2 trillion through aggressive cost-cutting measures.
The group's website, last updated on October 4, claims $214 billion in savings for 2025, though its methods faced legal challenges and reversals.
Musk's regrets and business fallout
During a nearly hour-long conversation on The Katie Miller Podcast, Musk admitted he would have prioritized his companies-Tesla and SpaceX-over the political role. "They wouldn't have been burning the cars," he said, referencing vandalism targeting Tesla showrooms and vehicles following his high-profile alignment with Trump.
Tesla reported its lowest sales in three years in April, citing "changing political sentiment" as a drag on demand. Protests and boycotts erupted globally over Musk's political engagement, with Cybertrucks becoming frequent targets of vandalism.
Political and personal rifts
Musk's tenure at Doge strained his relationship with Trump. After donating millions to Trump's campaign and appearing at White House events, Musk publicly criticized a Trump-backed spending bill in June, sparking a public feud. Trump retaliated by threatening to scrutinize Musk's government contracts.
Their rapport appears restored; Musk attended a White House dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in November and later praised Trump's humor in the podcast interview.
Doge's mixed legacy
Despite setbacks, Musk defended the initiative's impact. "You really want the least amount done by government as possible," he told Miller. "Doge stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense."
The group's aggressive tactics included proposed cuts to agencies like USAID and mass federal workforce reductions. Some actions, such as firing bird flu officials at the USDA, were quickly reversed after backlash.
"We were somewhat successful."
Elon Musk
Name and structure
Musk revealed Doge's name-a play on the "Doge" internet meme-was crowdsourced. The advisory body operated outside formal government channels, amplifying its controversial reputation.
