Elon Musk Downplays DOGE's Budget Impact, Pledges Continued Support Post-Trump Administration

Elon Musk Bids Farewell to the Trump Cabinet, Claims DOGE Saved $160 Billion Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, offered a cheeky remark about the savings achieved by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). When President Trump claimed that DOGE had "saved" $150 billion through cost-cutting measures and reducing federal employee numbers, Musk quipped, "It's actually $160 billion, but who's counting?" Last fall, Musk made a bolder claim, stating that DOGE would slash "at least $2 trillion" from the federal budget. However, in a January interview, he walked back that estimate. "We'll aim for $2 trillion. That’s the best-case scenario," Musk said. "But there’s always a margin for error. If we target $2 trillion, I think we have a good chance of achieving at least $1 trillion." Despite Musk’s optimistic projections, experts argue that the actual savings could be significantly lower. According to the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, DOGE-related actions such as firings, re-hirings, lost productivity, and paid leave for thousands of federal workers will cost upwards of $135 billion this fiscal year, as reported by The New York Times. During Tesla's recent earnings call, Musk affirmed his continued commitment to DOGE. "I will keep working on DOGE for as long as the president wants me to and as long as it remains beneficial," he stated. However, he also indicated a shift in focus. "Starting next month, I’ll allocate much more of my time to Tesla, now that the bulk of the work to establish the Department of Government Efficiency is complete," Musk added. This move reflects Musk’s broader strategy of balancing his various roles and responsibilities. While he acknowledges the importance of his work with DOGE, his primary focus remains on advancing Tesla’s mission and driving technological innovation.