Musk Says Trump’s DOGE Initiative Fell Short and He Wouldn’t Lead It Again

Tesla CEO Elon Musk reflected on his time leading U.S. President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), acknowledging that the initiative achieved only limited success. Speaking on a podcast with former Trump administration official Katie Miller, Musk said the team managed to stop “a lot of funding that…made no sense,” but he would not take on the role again if given the chance.

Musk, a prominent donor to Trump’s campaign and an early adviser during Trump’s second term, spearheaded DOGE’s effort to reduce federal spending and shrink the government workforce during its first five months. However, his involvement came with backlash. The billionaire noted that political tensions surrounding his role contributed to vandalism of Tesla vehicles, and he suggested he should have stayed focused on his companies instead.

While DOGE claimed to have cut tens of billions in government expenditures, analysts were unable to verify those figures due to the lack of transparent public accounting. The initiative has since disbanded with eight months remaining in its mandate, according to Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor.

Musk’s time with DOGE also raised concerns among Tesla investors, who feared he was becoming distracted as the company faced slowing sales. His relationship with Trump grew strained midyear following disagreements over the administration’s major tax and spending package, though recent signs point to possible reconciliation between the two.

Asked whether he would ever return to lead DOGE, Musk responded firmly: “No, I don’t think so.”

The billionaire’s comments shed new light on the challenges and controversies surrounding government efficiency efforts and highlight the impact of political engagement on his businesses and public perception.