In a revealing podcast interview, Elon Musk disclosed he would not reassume leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) if given the opportunity, citing negative consequences for his corporate empire. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO made these remarks during an hour-long conversation on The Katie Miller Podcast, reflecting on his tumultuous tenure leading the Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiative.
Musk departed Doge in May after initially pledging to save approximately $2 trillion annually through aggressive federal workforce reductions and program eliminations. The organization’s website claims $214 billion in savings this year, though Musk characterized the overall effort as only “a little bit successful” in achieving its objectives.
When asked by host Katie Miller—a former White House adviser and Doge spokesperson—whether he would repeat his government service, Musk responded unequivocally: “I mean no, I don’t think so.” He indicated he would have preferred focusing exclusively on his companies, noting “they wouldn’t have been burning the cars” in reference to vandalism attacks targeting Tesla facilities and vehicles earlier this year.
The billionaire’s high-profile political role sparked global protests and consumer boycotts against Tesla, contributing to the company’s sales plummeting to their lowest level in three years. Tesla warned investors that “changing political sentiment” continued to negatively impact demand.
Despite his regrets, Musk defended Doge’s mission, stating: “You really want the least amount done by government as possible.” He asserted the advisory group—created through executive order on Trump’s first day back in office—had “stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense,” including pushing for massive federal workforce reductions and attempting to shutter agencies like USAID.
Musk revealed the unconventional name “Doge” originated from “internet suggestions,” acknowledging the group’s unofficial status within government. Several of its initiatives faced legal challenges or swift reversals, including the firing and subsequent rehiring of USDA bird flu officials.
The Tesla CEO’s government service also strained his relationship with President Trump, culminating in a June falling-out when Musk criticized a Trump-backed spending bill. This triggered a public war of words on social media, with Trump threatening to investigate Musk’s government contracts.
The relationship has since mended, with Musk attending a White House dinner in November and speaking positively of Trump’s “great sense of humor” during the podcast interview.