Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has been involved with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for some time now. Recently, there have been speculations about his level of involvement with the department. According to David Sacks, Donald Trump’s AI and Crypto Czar, Musk is not completely out of DOGE, but rather, he is rationing his time more efficiently.
What’s Happening with DOGE
Sacks shared his perspective on Musk’s involvement with DOGE on The All-In Podcast. He stated that Musk has reached a point where he can shift his focus to other things, similar to when he first got involved with Twitter (now X). At that time, Musk spent a significant amount of time understanding the business before moving to a “maintenance mode.” Sacks believes that Musk has reached a similar point with DOGE.
Musk’s Time Commitment to DOGE
Musk’s decision to reduce his time commitment to DOGE comes as Tesla faces global protests and boycotts tied to his political activity. Despite stepping back, Sacks indicated that Musk will continue overseeing DOGE to prevent “a huge backsliding where all the corrupt interest will basically put back all this corrupt spending.” Sacks stated, “My sense is that DOGE is gonna continue.”
Impact of Musk’s Involvement
Musk’s DOGE has reportedly saved $160 billion by eliminating wasteful government spending. However, a recent analysis warns of potential hidden costs for taxpayers due to DOGE’s actions, which could cost up to $135 billion this fiscal year. Additionally, a Senate report suggests that Musk’s influence over DOGE could potentially help his companies avoid over $2 billion in financial liabilities.
What This Means
Musk’s announcement to reduce his commitment to DOGE was revealed during Tesla’s first-quarter earnings call, following a 71% profit plunge in Q1 2025. This decision resulted in a significant surge in Tesla’s stock, with a nearly 24% increase in the past five days. Sacks’ comments provide insight into Musk’s involvement with DOGE and what this means for the department’s future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s involvement with DOGE is not coming to an end, but rather, it is shifting to a “maintenance mode.” With Musk’s continued oversight, DOGE is expected to continue its efforts to eliminate wasteful government spending. However, the potential hidden costs for taxpayers and the impact on Musk’s companies remain to be seen.