Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Musk Says He Stayed Too Long in Trump’s Government Efficiency Unit
Elon Musk says he got carried away during his time in the US government’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
The unit was created in January 2025, and Musk left in May.
He now says he stayed too long and should have spent only a month or two on the effort.
Musk said he backed Donald Trump partly because he hoped for less bureaucracy and a more free-market economy.
DOGE’s cuts also drew warnings about harm to health and welfare, including estimates of deaths linked to reductions in US aid and other spending.
DOGE estimated it saved $215 billion, while reported costs from firings, lost productivity and other effects reached $135 billion in 2025; the unit was officially dissolved three months before the story was published.
Elon Musk said he stayed too long in President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
He said he should have stayed more in the background and that his involvement might have lasted only a month or two.
Musk made the comments in the debut episode of Walter Isaacson’s podcast, The Builders.
He said he supported Trump partly in hopes of moving the government toward a freer-market economy and less bureaucracy.
DOGE was created in January 2025, and Musk left in May.
- Who
- Elon Musk discussed his time in DOGE with biographer Walter Isaacson.
- What
- Musk said he stayed involved for too long and should have been more in the background.
- When
- In the debut episode of Isaacson’s podcast; the article was published October 21, 2026.
- Where
- The comments were made on Isaacson’s podcast, The Builders. Musk also recalled being in the Oval Office during his DOGE involvement.
- Why
- Musk said he supported Trump in hopes of a freer-market economy and less bureaucracy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
DOGE was created.
Musk left DOGE.
Gizmodo published an account of Musk’s reflections in the debut episode of Walter Isaacson’s podcast, The Builders.
- DOGE creation
- January 2025
- Musk’s departure from DOGE
- May 2025
- Suggested duration
- Musk said his involvement might have lasted a month or two.
- Podcast
- The Builders, hosted by Walter Isaacson
- DOGE savings estimate
- $215 billion through spending reductions, according to DOGE
- Reported taxpayer costs
- $135 billion in 2025 alone, associated with DOGE-related firings, welfare benefits, productivity losses and rehiring costs
What people are saying
I think I had it going for too long.
I got carried away basically.
But then what I should have done I think was be more in the background.