• Elon Musk describes his leadership of DOGE as "somewhat successful."
• He would not take on the role again due to backlash and controversies.
• Musk acknowledges the initiative aimed at significant cost reductions in federal spending.
• His political involvement led to vandalism and criticism targeted at Tesla.
• Musk and Trump's relationship has seen recent reconciliation after tensions.

Elon Musk has characterized his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as "a little bit successful," but he would not undertake the role again if given the chance. In a podcast interview with former Trump administration aide Katie Miller, Musk elaborated on DOGE's intent to reduce federal spending and noted that it had halted "a lot of funding that really just made no sense," but felt the overall backlash to his political involvement outweighed the benefits. He stated, "I think instead of doing DOGE, I would've basically worked in my companies," referencing severe consequences for his business, including vandalism incidents against Tesla vehicles, according to Reuters, CBS News, BBC, and India Times.

The DOGE initiative, launched by executive order on Trump’s first day back in office, aimed for substantial cuts in federal programs and staff, with projected savings of up to $2 trillion. Musk, wielding a chainsaw as a metaphor for aggressive budget cutting at public events, noted that while the department had reportedly saved approximately $214 billion, the political fight back, including lawsuits and public discontent, restricted its achievements. Musk's comments highlight the contentious and hurried nature of the program’s goals, which ultimately seemed to invite more scrutiny and conflict than it resolved, according to Reuters, CBS News, BBC, and India Times.

Musk's involvement with DOGE not only impacted his corporate endeavors but also strained his relationship with Trump following criticisms about a Trump-backed spending bill. Eventually, they appeared to reconcile, as Musk was seen at a White House dinner with various officials, and Musk remarked positively about Trump during his podcast, saying, "he's got a great sense of humor," which indicates a thaw in what had become a frosty relationship. As their interactions continue to evolve, the complexities of Musk's political engagement remain pertinent, as highlighted by Reuters, CBS News, BBC, and India Times.