Elon Musk Regrets DOGE Tenure, Calls Government Efficiency Role a Distraction

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly reflected on his time in government. He served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration. Musk now calls his tenure only “somewhat successful.” He told a podcast he would not take the job again if given the choice.

Musk stated his focus should have remained on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX. He left the role in May of this year before the agency was shuttered. His candid remarks reveal a period of professional regret and public backlash.

Musk Admits DOGE Struggles and Personal Toll

Speaking on the Katie Miller Podcast, Musk was blunt about the agency’s impact. “We were a little bit successful. We were somewhat successful,” he told the host, a former DOGE spokeswoman. He cited the immense difficulty of reforming the federal bureaucracy quickly as a key hurdle.

When asked if he would lead DOGE again, his answer was clear. “I don’t think so,” Musk said. He explained he would have instead focused his energy entirely on his corporate ventures. According to Reuters, this period coincided with significant public relations challenges for Tesla.

Musk directly linked his government work to consumer anger. “They wouldn’t have been burning the cars,” he remarked. This was a reference to protests where Tesla vehicles were set on fire. The comment underscores his belief that his DOGE role harmed his primary businesses.

A Controversial Legacy and a Corporate Rebound

Despite his regrets, Musk defended some of DOGE’s work. He claimed the agency identified major inefficiencies like “zombie payments.” Musk argued better automation could save up to $200 billion annually.

His departure from Washington marked a sharp turnaround. Tesla shareholders later approved a massive new compensation package for Musk. This move solidified his financial recovery and refocused his public image on innovation.

The episode serves as a case study in the clash between Silicon Valley disruption and government inertia. Musk’s experience highlights the personal cost of navigating political waters. For his companies, his return to full-time leadership was a welcome relief.

Elon Musk’s DOGE experience is now a footnote in his career, one he clearly wishes he could rewrite. His reflection emphasizes a hard-learned lesson about where a visionary’s focus truly belongs.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What is DOGE?

The Department of Government Efficiency was a short-lived agency under the Trump administration. Its stated goal was to identify and cut wasteful federal spending. Elon Musk was appointed to lead it.

Q2: Why did Elon Musk leave DOGE?

Musk quit the role in May of this year, months before the agency closed. He cited the extreme difficulty of rapidly changing government systems. He also suggested the job was distracting him from running Tesla and SpaceX.

Q3: What did Musk say about Tesla during this time?

Musk believes his DOGE tenure fueled public anger toward his companies. He specifically referenced protests where Teslas were burned, stating “They wouldn’t have been burning the cars” if he had stayed focused.

Q4: Has Musk’s business performance improved since leaving?

Yes. Following his departure, Tesla shareholders approved a landmark compensation plan for Musk. This signaled strong investor confidence and marked a rebound for his corporate leadership.

Q5: Did Musk think DOGE achieved anything?

He called it only “somewhat successful.” He defended its identification of inefficiencies like “zombie payments” but admitted the overall impact was limited by bureaucratic inertia.