Elon Musk Reflects on Department of Government Efficiency Role
Elon Musk has stated he would not undertake a leadership role within the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) again, though he characterized its efforts under President Donald Trump to reduce the size of the U.S. government as "a little bit successful." Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, shared these reflections during an interview on The Katie Miller Podcast.
Doge's Objectives and Outcomes
Musk departed Doge in May, having initially aimed to achieve up to $2 trillion in annual savings through measures such as federal job reductions and the closure of government programs. The Doge website, last updated on October 4, reports an estimated $214 billion in savings for the current year.
Reasons for Reconsideration
When asked by podcast host Katie Miller if he would repeat his involvement with the organization, Musk responded negatively. He indicated a preference to have focused on his companies, citing a series of vandalism incidents targeting Tesla showrooms and vehicles earlier in the year. These incidents occurred amidst global protests and boycotts against Tesla, linked to Musk's public role within the Trump administration. Tesla reported a three-year low in sales in April and cautioned investors about the potential impact of "changing political sentiment" on demand.
Assessment of Doge's Impact
Despite the challenges, Musk maintained that Doge had been "somewhat successful," stating, "You really want the least amount done by government as possible." He added that Doge had "stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense."
Formation and Actions of Doge
Doge was established via an executive order on President Trump's first day back in the White House. Musk noted that the name "Doge" was "made-up" based on internet suggestions. The advisory group, which is not an official government department, pursued significant reductions in the federal workforce and the closure of various programs and agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Operational Challenges
Certain actions by Doge encountered legal opposition or were subsequently reversed. For example, after the dismissal of bird flu officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a result of Doge's cost-cutting initiatives, the Trump administration sought to re-hire them days later.