Elon Musk: DOGE era was 'somewhat successful'; he wouldn't do it again
Elon Musk: DOGE era was 'somewhat successful'; he wouldn't do it again
Musk reflects on DOGE and a costly government-effort stint, saying the project was only somewhat successful and he would not repeat it, while touching on SpaceX and faith.
Elon Musk is opening up about the brief chapter in his career when he led a government initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. He says the effort was only somewhat successful and, in hindsight, too costly for his companies. The candid assessment comes in the same discussion where he jokes about his faith and the role of what he calls the Creator as the funniest person he knows. Musk notes that while DOGE aimed to slash federal spending, it sparked backlash against Tesla, complicating efforts on several fronts.
Beyond government work, Musk pivots to SpaceX's Starship, describing it as central to his broader goal of making humanity multi-planetary and ensuring planetary redundancy for survival. He frames Starship not just as a launch vehicle, but as a stepping stone toward resilience for civilization, indicating that the project carries both ambition and risk.
On the personal side, he remarks that the idea of belief in God is nuanced, calling the Creator a humorous, almost playful figure in the universe. He ties this perspective to a broader vision of technology serving humanity, even as critics question his methods or the costs of his ventures. When asked to reflect on DOGE in hindsight, Musk acknowledges the price paid by his companies but maintains that the long-term bets—particularly in space and multi-planetary goals—remain worth the tradeoffs.
The interview paints a portrait of a tech titan who is relentlessly steering multiple frontiers at once: federal policy reform, cutting-edge propulsion, and the ethical and financial dimensions of disruption. While some see his comments as candid, others will debate whether the costs were justified or overblown. What remains clear is Musk’s ongoing willingness to discuss the setbacks and the bold bets that continue to shape the future of his companies and their place in the world.
