Elon Musk Hints at Quitting DOGE ? Amid Tesla Turmoil: What He Said
Billionaire Elon Musk has suggested he may step down from his role at the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by late May, as Tesla faces a deepening crisis with protests and plunging stock prices. Speaking to Fox News, Musk claimed his team is close to slashing a trillion dollars from the federal deficit, a goal he says could wrap up his tenure within his 130-day limit as a special government employee.
Appointed as a special advisor to President Donald Trump, Musk has led DOGE in an aggressive push to cut federal spending, reducing it to about USD 6 trillion. He stated that his team has eliminated waste and fraud at a rate of USD 4 billion daily, saving taxpayers USD 115 billion by March 24 through workforce cuts, asset sales, and contract terminations.
“I think we will accomplish most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that timeframe,” Musk said in the interview, defending DOGE’s efforts despite widespread backlash.
Musk’s announcement comes as Tesla grapples with significant challenges. The electric vehicle giant saw its shares drop over 5 per cent last Monday amid nationwide protests and reports of vandalism at its facilities. Addressing employees in Austin last Thursday, Musk admitted the strain, saying, “I’m stretched pretty thin. I have like 17 jobs.”
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He described media coverage as “feeling like Armageddon” but reassured staff, “The future is incredibly bright and exciting, and we’re going to do things that no one has even dreamed of.”
Musk, alongside seven senior advisors—Aram Moghaddassi, Steve Davis, Brad Smith, Anthony Armstrong, Joe Gebbia, Tom Krause, and Tyler Hassen—has focused on streamlining federal agencies. He claimed a “15 percent reduction” in spending is possible without harming essential services, dismissing critics who call DOGE’s approach reckless.
“They may characterise it as shooting from the hip, but it is anything but that,” Musk said, adding, “Which is not to say that we don’t make mistakes.”
DOGE’s budget cuts have triggered protests across the US and multiple lawsuits alleging the department lacks legal authority and has breached privacy laws. Musk has stood firm, asserting, “The government is not efficient, and there is a lot of waste and fraud.” He remains optimistic, stating, “America will be solvent. The critical programs that people depend upon will work.”
The department estimates its measures have already delivered substantial savings, a figure Musk highlighted as evidence of progress.
Tesla’s woes have intensified scrutiny on Musk’s dual roles. The company faces declining stock value and public unrest, raising questions about his focus. In Austin, he acknowledged the toll, yet emphasized a positive outlook for Tesla’s future innovations despite the current turbulence.
The convergence of these challenges has fueled speculation about whether Musk will prioritize Tesla over his government role.
As Musk nears the 130-day limit of his DOGE tenure by late May, his potential exit could shift focus back to Tesla’s recovery. Legal battles against DOGE persist, and their outcomes may shape its future operations. Meanwhile, Tesla’s leadership will likely face growing pressure to stabilize the company amid ongoing protests and market concerns.
Updates on Musk’s final decision and DOGE’s next steps are expected as his deadline approaches.
