In a recent interview with conservative influencer and aide Katie Miller, Elon Musk reflected on his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), admitting that his efforts were only “somewhat successful.” The billionaire entrepreneur, who helms companies such as Tesla and SpaceX and owns the social media platform X, expressed reservations about repeating the experience, stating, “I don’t think so. … Instead of doing DOGE, I would have, basically, built … worked on my companies.”
During the candid discussion on the “Katie Miller Podcast,” Musk indicated that while DOGE aimed to modernize federal operations, he found the process of overhauling government functions to be surprisingly complex. He also acknowledged the consequences of his involvement with DOGE, noting that his businesses had been adversely affected due to his focus on the agency’s goals. Reflecting on the fallout, he added wistfully, “They wouldn’t have been burning the cars,” alluding to consumer protests against Tesla during his time with the agency.
Musk still defended the creation of DOGE, begun under President Trump, despite leaving the agency before its official closure last month. He credited DOGE with potentially saving the federal government up to $200 billion annually by eliminating inefficient “zombie payments” through improved automation and coding. However, this figure falls short of his earlier promises, where he had stated that an efficiency commission could uncover savings in the trillions.
During the lengthy conversation, Miller did not delve into the controversial aspects of DOGE’s integration into federal agencies and data systems. Instead, they transitioned to a variety of topics, including Musk’s views on artificial intelligence, social media dynamics, conspiracy theories, and fashion trends.
Despite the challenges he faced in government, Musk’s fortunes appear to be on the rise following his departure. Recently, Tesla shareholders approved a pay package that could position him to become the world’s first trillionaire, highlighting a notable shift in focus back to his business ventures. Miller, who previously worked with DOGE, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Musk’s comments and the agency’s impact.
