Elon Musk recently shared his thoughts on his time with the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) during an interview on The Katie Miller Podcast. He said he wouldn’t take on that role again if given the chance, reflecting on his efforts to reduce the size of the U.S. government under President Trump.
Musk, who left Doge in May, aimed to cut costs significantly—up to $2 trillion annually—through measures like reducing federal jobs and eliminating ineffective programs. Doge’s website claims it saved about $214 billion this year, but Musk still had mixed feelings about his accomplishments there.
When asked if he would do it all over, Musk said, “No, I don’t think so.” He preferred focusing on his companies, remarking that they wouldn’t have faced issues like vandalism reported in Tesla showrooms. This destruction was partly driven by backlash against his political involvement, which led to a decline in Tesla’s sales, hitting their lowest in three years.
Despite the challenges, Musk believes Doge had some success. He stated, “You really want the least amount done by government as possible,” highlighting that some funding cuts made sense. He even noted that Doge was named whimsically, based on online suggestions.
Doge, formed by an executive order on Trump’s first day back in office, pushed aggressively for reductions across various federal agencies, even facing legal challenges. Some actions, like firing bird flu officials at the USDA, were later reversed due to political pushback.
Musk’s role in Doge caused tension with Trump. He had been a strong supporter, donating millions to Trump’s campaign and attending key White House meetings. Their rapport soured when Musk criticized a Trump-backed spending bill, igniting a social media dispute between them. However, their relationship seems to have improved; Musk even attended a recent White House dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, calling Trump one of the funniest people he knows.
The dynamic between tech leaders and politics continues to evolve. As governments increasingly rely on private companies for innovation, the lines are often blurred. Understanding this relationship gives us insight into how future policies may shape industries like tech and energy.
For a deeper dive into Musk’s impact on both tech and politics, check out this report from Pew Research on tech leadership roles and their influence in governmental affairs.
