Elon Musk sat down with reporters at the White House on Wednesday in a rare meeting with the mainstream media. The interview, which included journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bloomberg, took place in the Roosevelt Room. During the session, Musk and three top Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) members discussed their time under the Trump administration.
Musk surprised attendees by comparing himself to Buddha, asking, “Is Buddha needed for Buddhism? Was it not stronger after he passed away?”
Musk indicated he plans to step back from his DOGE role by the end of the month. The meeting lasted about an hour and was described as uncharacteristically subdued. Musk appeared more reflective and somewhat defeated.
Musk admitted that DOGE had not met its ambitious budget cut target of $1 trillion, managing only $160 billion.
Musk steps back from efficiency role
He cited difficulties in achieving the goal without broader support in Washington.
It’s sort of, how much pain is the Cabinet and the Congress willing to take?” Musk said. “It can be done, but it requires dealing with a lot of complaints.”
He also acknowledged that in their aggressive cuts, some essential federal employees were “accidentally let go,” leading to significant criticism aimed at both Republican leadership and himself. Musk shared personal anecdotes about his time in Washington, including his stay in the Lincoln Bedroom and a late-night call from President Trump asking him to fetch ice cream from the White House kitchen.
Despite reducing his involvement, Musk confirmed he would maintain an office on White House grounds, albeit with a less-than-ideal view. “It makes it harder to shoot me, I guess,” Musk quipped. Concluding the meeting, Musk referred to DOGE as “a way of life,” signaling his continued belief in the project despite its challenges.
The unexpected press engagement offered a rare glimpse into Musk’s reflections on his role and the complications of government efficiency efforts.
Rashan is a seasoned technology journalist and visionary leader serving as the Editor-in-Chief of DevX.com, a leading online publication focused on software development, programming languages, and emerging technologies. With his deep expertise in the tech industry and her passion for empowering developers, Rashan has transformed DevX.com into a vibrant hub of knowledge and innovation. Reach out to Rashan at [email protected]
