Elon Musk Reflects on Government Efficiency Role, Suggests Focus on Companies Instead

Wed Dec 10 2025 20:29:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent podcast interview, Elon Musk discussed his controversial past as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, expressing regret and reaffirming his commitment to his business ventures.

In an interview on the 'Katie Miller Podcast,' Elon Musk reflected on his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency, admitting that while there were some successes, he would not pursue such a role again. He acknowledged the difficulties associated with rapidly reforming federal agencies and suggested that he could have invested that time into his companies instead. Musk also discussed broader topics such as artificial intelligence and social media during the 50-minute conversation, emphasizing his priorities in innovation over governmental involvement.

Mega billionaire Elon Musk, in a friendly interview with his aide and conservative influencer Katie Miller, stated that his efforts leading the Department of Government Efficiency were only 'somewhat successful' and indicated he would not undertake the role again.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who also owns the social media platform X, defended President Donald Trump's controversial pop-up agency that he departed from earlier this spring, prior to its closure last month. Musk expressed frustration over the challenges of quickly reforming the federal government and recognized the toll his work with the DOGE agency took on his businesses, admitting its lack of popularity.

We were a little bit successful. We were somewhat successful, Musk mentioned in the interview. When pressed on the matter of repeating the experience, he responded: I don’t think so... Instead of doing DOGE, I would have, basically, built ... worked on my companies.

Musk, reflecting wistfully, added, They wouldn’t have been burning the cars, a reference to consumer protests against Tesla.

Despite the challenges faced, Musk noted that his departure from the agency has allowed him to refocus on his business ventures, as seen by Tesla shareholders recently approving a compensation package that could position him as the world's first trillionaire.

The interview was part of the 'Katie Miller Podcast,' where Miller, a former DOGE spokesperson and wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, engaged Musk in a conversation lasting over 50 minutes, covering topics from DOGE's objectives to AI and social media influences.

While Musk credited the agency for potential annual savings of $200 billion in 'zombie payments' via improved automated systems, this figure pales in comparison to his prior claims regarding efficiencies that could yield savings in the trillions.