Elon Musk says DOGE was only “a little bit successful”

• Elon Musk describes the Department of Government Efficiency as only “a little bit successful.”
• The initiative cut some federal spending but faced criticism and public backlash.
• Musk says he would have focused on his companies instead of DOGE if given the chance.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted that his involvement with President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was only partially successful and said he would not lead the initiative again.

Musk, who had been a major donor to Trump’s campaign and adviser during his administration, led DOGE in an effort to reduce federal budgets and workforce during the first five months of Trump’s second term. Speaking on a podcast with former Trump official Katie Miller, Musk said the team had limited impact.

“We were a little bit successful. We were somewhat successful. We stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense, that was entirely wasteful,” Musk said. He added that, in hindsight, he would have focused on his companies instead of DOGE, noting, “And they wouldn’t have been burning the cars.”

Musk’s political involvement drew criticism and contributed to vandalism of Tesla vehicles, raising investor concerns over his attention to the company amid slowing sales. His public relationship with Trump soured midyear over the administration’s tax and spending bill, though some reconciliation appears possible.

The Department of Government Efficiency disbanded with eight months left in its mandate. While DOGE claimed to have cut tens of billions of dollars in spending, outside financial experts were unable to verify the figures due to a lack of detailed public reporting.