Elon Musk calls DOGE 'somewhat successful' but rules out taking the role again

WASHINGTON, DC: Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he would not return to lead President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), calling the initiative “a little bit successful” and acknowledging the political fallout it triggered. 

Speaking on the 'The Katie Miller Podcast' podcast with former Trump aide Katie Miller, Musk said that he regretted diverting time away from his companies during the administration’s early push to shrink federal spending and payrolls.

Elon Musk said his companies should have come over DOGE

Musk, once a major donor and close adviser to Trump, faced intense criticism over the role, including vandalism of Tesla cars and concerns from investors alarmed by slowing sales.

“I think instead of doing DOGE, I would have basically worked on my companies,” he said. “And they wouldn’t have been burning the cars.”

Musk insisted that the team had halted “entirely wasteful” spending but admitted the gains were modest. Asked if he would reprise the role, he replied, “No, I don’t think so.”

DOGE was disbanded amid questions

The Office of Personnel Management confirmed this month that DOGE was disbanded with eight months remaining in its mandate.

While the unit claimed to have slashed tens of billions in expenditures, outside experts claimed that no detailed public accounting was ever released, making those claims impossible to verify.

President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have maintained an on-and-off working relationship.

Elon Musk calls Trump 'funniest person' in real life

Musk also called Trump the “funniest person” in real life.

Musk also referenced the topic during a recent Oval Office meeting between President Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, addressing a “fascist” comment Trump made during the discussion.

During the interview, Musk was asked, “Who's the funniest person you know in real life?”

Elon responded, “President Trump is very funny. He's got a great sense of humor. It's naturally funny, somewhat effortless. When they asked someone if they still thought the president was fascist, Trump said 'just say yes, it's easier that way. Don't worry about it.'”

At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump returned the compliment, praising Musk’s sense of humor.

The president said, “We ALL love Elon! Elon was up here campaigning.” He also talked about electric cars during his remarks.

Months after a very public rift, Trump and Musk reunited at a memorial service for right-wing leader Charlie Kirk.

The two were seen sitting side by side in the stands of a stadium filled with tens of thousands paying tribute to Kirk, who was shot dead on September 10 at a Utah university campus.