Megyn Kelly contrasts Elon Musk’s 'important' DOGE role to Taylor Swift's 'pointless' political turn

Megyn Kelly contrasts Elon Musk’s 'important' DOGE role to Taylor Swift's 'pointless' political turn
Megyn Kelly contrasted Elon Musk's political dalliances to Taylor Swift's political involvement (Dia Dipasupil /Getty Images and Getty Images)

WASHINTON, DC: Speculation swirled this week around Elon Musk's rumored departure from his special government role as chair of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency).

Now, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly came out swinging, not only to defend Musk, but to contrast him sharply with another public figure who’s gone political in recent years: Taylor Swift.

Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk arrives to speak during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk arrives to speak during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Megyn Kelly praises Elon Musk's government role

On her 'The Megyn Kelly Show', she wasn’t about to let Musk’s supposed exit pass without commentary.

At the center of her defense was Musk’s willingness to step into the often unforgiving political arena, something she said should be commended, not criticized.

“The US is lucky to have someone like Elon, willing to touch the government with a 10-foot pole,” Kelly stated.



 

She contrasted Musk’s political impact with that of pop superstar Taylor Swift, who, Kelly argued, entered the political conversation only to alienate fans without any real impact.

“It’s not like Taylor Swift. She got booed at the Super Bowl because she got political, and she alienated half her fan base and half of the country. And when I see her today, do I feel bad for her? Not at all."



 

She added, "You put yourself out there. You did not need to get political. But in her case, it was utterly pointless. You have no political swing, you just wanted to feel like you are more important...”

According to reports, Kelly believes Musk’s involvement was the opposite of pointless.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 05: Elon Musk leaps on stage with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally from behind bullet resistant glass at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. This is the first time that Trump has returned to Butler since he was injured during an attempted assassination on July 13. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Elon Musk leaps on stage with Republican presidential nominee, President Donald Trump during a campaign rally from behind bullet resistant glass at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

She asserted that “Elon actually did help Trump get elected. He did move the needle and there is no question about that.”

Elon Musk 'wrapping up DOGE work soon'

While reports claimed President Donald Trump privately confirmed that Musk would soon step down from his position, both Musk and the White House dismissed the rumors, clarifying that the billionaire was never meant to be a long-term fixture in Washington.

Instead, Musk has been operating as a special government employee with a 130-day term, helping streamline government operations under the DOGE project.



 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized, “Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete.”



 

Musk echoed those sentiments, calling media reports of a resignation "fake news" in a recent statement.

Yet during a Fox interview with the DOGE leader and members of his team, Bret Baier asked Musk, "You, technically, are a special government employee and you're supposed to be 130 days."



 

Baier added, "Are you going to continue past that or do you think that's what you're going to do?" 

Musk acknowledged, saying, "I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame," Musk responded. 

Insiders close to Trump said the president is “very happy” with what Musk achieved, especially in terms of slashing bureaucratic spending.

Megyn Kelly defends Elon Musk amid Tesla backlash

Megyn Kelly also addressed the recent backlash Musk and his company Tesla have been facing, suggesting that the animosity is politically motivated.

“It has been very hard for Elon Musk as nobody now wants to buy a Tesla the way Tesla vehicles are coming under attack,” she claimed.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: U.S. President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk deliver remarks next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke out against calls for a boycott of Elon Musk’s companies and said he would purchase a Tesla vehicle in what he calls a ‘show of confidence and support’ for Elon Musk. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk deliver remarks next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

She added that while “Elon Musk is protected by the Department of Justice,” certain political figures, such as former VP candidate Tim Walz—are “celebrating the attack on Tesla.”

“People are doing hate crimes against Tesla,” she said, calling out the rise in public and political hostility.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel and Assistant to the President Taylor Budowich (R), speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is holding the first Cabinet meeting of his second term. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel and Assistant to the President Taylor Budowich (R), speaks as President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

As Musk prepares to conclude his work with DOGE and return to his sprawling business empire, the debate over the role of celebrities in politics continues.

For Kelly, Musk's strategic, results-oriented involvement stands in stark contrast to Swift’s performative activism.

She noted, “It was important for the nation that Elon Musk turned political, unlike Taylor Swift.”

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