Elon Musk Rewrites His DOGE Story From Bold Reform to a Painful Lesson

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Overview

• Elon Musk says DOGE was only “somewhat successful” and wouldn’t repeat the effort.
• DOGE cuts sparked controversy, layoffs, and political backlash affecting Tesla.
• The acronym DOGE drove Dogecoin price jumps, though Musk denied formal crypto ties.

Main Content

Elon Musk has downplayed the impact of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Trump administration program he helped lead in early 2025. He said the initiative was only “somewhat successful” and not something he would repeat.

Speaking on The Katie Miller Podcast, the billionaire suggested his time would have been better spent focusing on his companies rather than trying to overhaul the federal government.

The DOGE program was first promoted as a bold plan to cut unnecessary federal spending. Meanwhile, it became a major political project for Musk, who was one of Donald Trump’s closest allies early in his second term.

The initiative aimed to reduce waste, reorganize agencies, and make large budget cuts across the government.

Results Fell Short of Early Promises

Although DOGE claimed billions in savings, outside analysts were never able to verify the numbers due to the lack of transparent accounting. The initiative ultimately delivered far less than the massive cuts Musk and Trump once projected.

Internal figures showed $214 billion in reductions, far below the ambitious multi-trillion-dollar savings targets floated in the early months.

In Washington, the program sparked major controversy. Over 200,000 federal workers were laid off, and many more took buyouts as DOGE’s aggressive cuts swept through agencies. Critics said the effort was chaotic and driven by ideology rather than careful planning.

Backlash Hits Tesla and Musk Personally

Musk admitted that getting involved in politics caused problems, not just for DOGE but for Tesla, too. As the program rolled out, Tesla dealt with vandalism and political protests, including damage at several dealerships.

Musk said these issues might not have happened if he had stayed focused on his companies. Investors also worried he was too distracted. Tesla’s stock dropped significantly from January to March before later rebounding.

Musk and Trump Split, DOGE Winds Down

DOGE also became a flashpoint in Musk’s relationship with President Trump. The two engaged in a public feud after disagreements over tax and spending legislation. By late spring, Musk had stepped away from the initiative entirely.

By November, the Office of Personnel Management confirmed that DOGE was formally disbanded — eight months before its mandate expired. Its mixed results and unverified claims of budget savings left questions about the true impact of the program.

Looking Back, Musk Would Choose Differently

Reflecting on the experience, Musk said he wouldn’t lead DOGE again. He still thinks the team cut some wasteful spending, but now feels the fallout for himself and his companies wasn’t worth it.

He continues to run Tesla, SpaceX, and X. SpaceX is preparing for a major IPO next year that could value the company at more than $1 trillion.

How Does This Relate to Cryptocurrency

The Department of Government Efficiency drew attention in the crypto market because its acronym, DOGE, matches the ticker symbol of Dogecoin, a token strongly associated with Elon Musk.

When the agency was first announced, Dogecoin jumped by about 24%, driven by speculation that Musk’s new government role might be connected to the cryptocurrency.

The market reaction intensified after Dogecoin-themed visuals briefly appeared on the agency’s website, although Musk later said the name had no formal ties to digital assets.

Even without a policy link, the overlap carried weight because Musk remains one of the most influential figures in crypto trading. His comments have repeatedly moved major tokens, especially Dogecoin, which has seen sharp price swings following his public statements in past years.