Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to reduce his involvement with Doge, a
government advisory body focused on cutting federal spending and
improving efficiency. Despite its official-sounding name, Doge is not a
formal government department but was created by an executive order under
former President Donald Trump.
Why Is Musk Stepping Back?
Musk stated that his time commitment to Doge will drop significantly, from
full-time engagement to just one or two days per week. This comes amid
criticism that his political activities have distracted him from Tesla,
where sales have recently slumped to a three-year low. Additionally,
Musk is approaching the 130-day annual limit for unpaid special
government employees, raising questions about his future role.
What Has Doge Done?
$DOGE ’s mission has been to reduce government waste, streamline operations, and
cut costs. Musk initially claimed the group could save up to 2trillionannuallybutlaterrevisedexpectationsdownward.AsofApril2025,Dogereports∗∗2trillionannuallybutlaterrevisedexpectationsdownward.AsofApril2025,Dogereports∗160 billion in estimated savings*, though only $32.5 billion has been fully documented. Key actions include:
Eliminating "woke" DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) contracts, claiming $1 billion in savings.
Cutting numerous USAID foreign aid programs.
Offering buyouts to over 2 million federal employees, though some have been rehired.
Public Opinion & Legal Challenges
While $DOGE ’s cost-cutting agenda has support among Republican voters, Musk himself remains a polarizing figure—54% of Americans view him unfavorably,
per Pew Research. The initiative has faced multiple lawsuits, with
critics accusing Doge of overreach and lack of transparency. Courts have
occasionally blocked its actions, including an attempt to access
Treasury Department data.
What’s Next?
Musk has pledged to stay with Doge "as long as the president wants," but his
reduced role signals a shift. With a July 2026 deadline, the group’s
long-term impact remains uncertain. Meanwhile, political and legal
battles continue, raising questions about how much of Musk’s ambitious
cost-cutting vision will actually materialize.
(Sources: BBC News, CBS, Pew Research)
