In a recent episode of "The Katie Miller Podcast," President Donald Trump's appointee to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, shared candid reflections on his time in the governmental sector. Musk, the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, conveyed a sense of measured regret over his decision to accept the position.
The conversation, which delved into various aspects of Musk's professional and personal life, revealed his skepticism about the real impact of his contributions to DOGE. "We're a little bit successful. We’re somewhat successful," Musk admitted, emphasizing the modest achievements of the department amid Washington's complex bureaucracy.
Musk's involvement in DOGE, a role he took on during President Trump's current administration, was not without controversy. He pointed to a series of violent incidents targeting Tesla vehicles as a backlash to his political presence. This, he posits, might have been avoided had he not stepped into the political arena.
The tech magnate also highlighted what he described as "zombie payments," referring to wasteful federal expenditures that DOGE aimed to eliminate. Despite identifying an estimated $100 to $200 billion in such losses annually, Musk conceded that the department's efforts only managed to address a fraction of the problem.
Musk's critique extended to government transfer payments to migrants, which he criticized for incentivizing illegal immigration. He described these payments as a "gigantic money magnet," suggesting a direct impact on the nation's immigration challenges.
Beyond his governmental role, Musk shared personal struggles, including sleep disruption due to concerns over artificial intelligence. Despite his efforts to rationalize these fears, citing a quote from science fiction, "Fear is the mind killer," Musk acknowledged that AI nightmares frequently disturb his rest.
The interview also touched on Musk's personal security and the limitations on his freedom due to his celebrity status and security risks, which have intensified following the assassination of public figure Charlie Kirk. Musk painted a picture of a life lived in "hardcore mode," where the consequences of a single error could be life-threatening.
Concluding the interview, Musk seemed to shut the door on a return to DOGE, saying, "I don’t think so," with a tone of finality informed by his experiences.
