Elon Musk says Doge was 'somewhat successful' but he would not do it again

December 10, 2025

Elon Musk reflected on his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), stating he would not take the role again if given the chance, though he considers the initiative moderately successful. His involvement in the Trump administration triggered significant backlash, including vandalism of Tesla properties and boycotts that contributed to the company's sales dropping to three-year lows. Musk's relationship with President Trump deteriorated dramatically after he criticized a White House spending bill, leading to a public feud on social media, though the two appear to have reconciled recently.

Who is affected

Elon Musk and his companies (Tesla and SpaceX)
Tesla customers and the company's sales/investors
Federal workforce employees targeted for reduction
US Agency for International Development (USAID)
Bird flu officials at the US Department of Agriculture who were fired
President Donald Trump
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article discusses past actions that have already concluded or been reversed.

Why it matters

Musk's involvement in government cost-cutting demonstrates how prominent business leaders' political engagement can significantly impact their commercial enterprises, with Tesla experiencing protests, boycotts, and declining sales. The Doge initiative attempted to fundamentally reshape federal government operations and spending, affecting numerous agencies and employees. The public falling-out between Musk and Trump illustrated tensions between unelected advisors and presidential authority, raising questions about influence and accountability in government decision-making.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC