Billionaire Elon Musk has expressed reservations about his tenure leading the Trump administration’s controversial cost-cutting initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), six months after stepping down.
In a recent podcast interview, Musk was asked about the success of DOGE, responding that it was “a little bit successful.” He claimed the initiative “stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense” and was “entirely wasteful.”
Regret Over Political Involvement
When pressed on whether he would repeat the experience, Musk demurred, ultimately stating, “I think instead of doing DOGE, I would’ve basically…worked in my companies, essentially.”
He cited the consequences of his political involvement, referring to a series of arson and vandalism incidents targeting dealerships for his electric car company, Tesla, saying, “They wouldn’t have been burning the cars.”
DOGE’s Aggressive Mission
Named after an internet meme, DOGE was formed quickly after President Trump’s inauguration. Musk, a significant financial supporter of Trump’s campaign, became a fixture in the White House.
Musk and his team aggressively sought to reduce federal spending. Their actions included:
- Shutting down programs deemed wasteful.
- Pushing for massive federal workforce reductions through layoffs and buyouts.
- Effectively shuttering entire agencies, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Musk estimated the effort could save the government hundreds of billions, possibly up to $2 trillion, although the claimed cost savings have been disputed. His approach was famously exemplified by him waving a chainsaw and calling it “the chainsaw for bureaucracy.”
Political Fallout
DOGE drew fierce criticism from federal workers who faced layoffs and Democratic lawmakers who argued the initiative was exercising vast power without Congressional approval. Lawsuits were filed to try and halt some of the cuts.
Musk’s previously close relationship with Mr. Trump fractured shortly after he left the White House in late May. The two engaged in a public dispute, with Musk criticizing the president’s policies and Mr. Trump threatening to cut federal subsidies for Tesla and SpaceX.
However, the relationship appears to be partially mended, with Musk recently visiting the White House. Mr. Trump stated, “I like Elon a lot,” and attributed their rift to cuts in electric vehicle subsidies. For his part, Musk called Mr. Trump the funniest person he knows, praising his “great sense of humor.”
