Washington – Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has described the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, which he headed under former President Donald Trump, as “somewhat successful,” while making it clear that he has no plans to take on a similar role again. Musk’s comments came during an in‑depth interview on “The Katie Miller Podcast,” where he reflected on his time leading the cost‑cutting government program.
Musk acknowledged that the DOGE initiative did achieve some of its objectives, including halting projects and expenditures that he considered wasteful. “We were a little bit successful… we stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense,” he said, highlighting the practical, albeit limited, impact of the program.
Despite the partial success, Musk admitted that the experience came with significant personal and professional costs. He cited backlash from critics and even incidents such as vandalism against Tesla vehicles, which he believes were linked to his political engagement. The billionaire emphasised that balancing corporate responsibilities with government work proved far more taxing than he had anticipated.
When asked whether he would ever take on a similar role in the future, Musk replied decisively, “No, I don’t think so,” signalling that his focus will remain on his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and other projects.
Analysts note that Musk’s reflections highlight the risks and challenges faced by business leaders entering the political or bureaucratic arena. While initiatives like DOGE can generate attention and policy impact, they also expose executives to reputational pressures, public scrutiny, and operational complications that few private-sector leaders are accustomed to navigating.
The DOGE initiative, despite mixed reviews, sparked debate about governmental efficiency and the role of private-sector expertise in public administration. Musk’s candid remarks underline that even high-profile interventions, while occasionally effective, come at a cost that can outweigh the perceived benefits.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.