Elon Musk Says He Would Not Lead DOGE Again After Mixed Outcome

Elon Musk has stated that he would not return to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the federal cost-cutting initiative he headed during the early phase of President Donald Trump’s second term.  Musk made the comments during a podcast hosted by Katie Miller, a former DOGE spokeswoman, where he discussed his decision to step away from the role and the limited results produced during his tenure.

Musk’s appointment to DOGE was intended to drive reductions in federal spending and restructure agencies viewed as inefficient. However, he resigned in May 2025 after months of public criticism, political tension, and disruptions linked to the program’s aggressive targets.

When asked directly if he would “do DOGE again,” Elon Musk responded that he would not, adding that he would have preferred to focus on Tesla, SpaceX, and other major business responsibilities.

• Elon Musk says he would not return to lead DOGE after mixed federal cost-cutting results
• Musk cites strain on Tesla and SpaceX as reasons for stepping away from Trump-era DOGE initiative
• Debate continues over DOGE’s claimed $200B savings amid criticism of disruptions and limited outcomes

Musk said that while the DOGE program achieved some targeted cuts, the overall outcome did not justify the strain placed on his companies and the backlash from employees, regulators, and industry groups. He maintained that the initiative did block certain expenditures he described as unnecessary, but he acknowledged that the broader DOGE savings remained contested. The now-inactive DOGE website had listed claimed savings of more than $200 billion, a figure questioned by analysts who said the calculations lacked supporting detail and verifiable data.

Critics of the DOGE initiative argue that the program caused abrupt disruptions in federal departments, reduced staffing without adequate planning, and created operational gaps that required later intervention. Supporters say DOGE forced agencies to confront long-standing inefficiencies and introduced budget discipline that previous administrations avoided.

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Musk’s remarks reflect his intent to distance himself from future political roles and to avoid commitments that divert focus from the companies he leads across the automotive, aerospace, and technology sectors.