Brace yourselves for a candid bombshell—Elon Musk just spilled the tea on his rollercoaster ride leading the Department of Governmental Efficiency, or DOGE, in 2025, calling it only “somewhat successful.” His latest remarks have reignited debate over the controversial cost-cutting initiative.
According to NewsNation, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Musk opened up on the “Katie Miller Pod,” reflecting on his time at the helm of DOGE with a mixed verdict while expressing relief at stepping away to focus on Tesla and SpaceX amid fierce public backlash.
Musk took on the leadership of DOGE in 2025, tasked with slashing federal spending and trimming government jobs. One of his boldest moves was overseeing the closure of USAID, the foreign aid agency. It was a mission aligned with shrinking bureaucratic bloat, but not without significant pushback.
During the interview, hosted by Katie Miller—an adviser and spokesperson for DOGE, and wife of then Trump administration official Stephen Miller—Musk was pressed to evaluate his tenure. Katie Miller asked pointedly, “Do you think you were successful?” That’s a question many have been itching to hear answered.
Musk didn’t sugarcoat it, responding, “We’re a little bit successful. We were somewhat successful.” But for those of us skeptical of endless government waste, even a partial win against unchecked spending feels like a step forward.
He elaborated further, saying, “I mean, we stopped a lot of funding for, that really just made no sense; that was just entirely wasteful.” That’s a refreshing admission in an era where progressive agendas often defend every dollar spent, regardless of merit. Yet, Musk’s lukewarm endorsement suggests even he saw limits to DOGE’s impact.
DOGE’s claims of saving taxpayers billions stirred plenty of controversy, as critics argue the numbers don’t add up. Many pointed to the chaos caused by some decisions, including the fact that hundreds of laid-off federal workers were later rehired. It’s a messy outcome that fuels doubts about the initiative’s true effectiveness.
Musk himself faced intense criticism for his role, a key reason he’s vowed not to take on such a position again. He’d rather steer Tesla and SpaceX than navigate the political minefield of government reform. Can’t say that’s a surprising pivot for a man more at home with rockets than red tape.
The initiative was originally slated to operate through July 2026, but Musk stepped away in May 2025. Shortly after, the Trump administration quietly pulled the plug on DOGE. By November 2025, the Office of Personnel Management director confirmed to Reuters that DOGE no longer existed as a centralized entity.
Musk’s departure wasn’t without drama, as he publicly clashed with Trump afterward. In June 2025, Musk went as far as calling for Trump’s impeachment and threatened to pull a SpaceX spacecraft critical to NASA, though he later retracted those fiery statements. It was a messy breakup, to say the least.
Yet, in recent months, signs of reconciliation have emerged between Musk and Trump. The two were spotted together at Charlie Kirk’s funeral in September 2025 and later at a White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Perhaps cooler heads have prevailed after all.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s sales, which took a hit from boycotts tied to Musk’s political entanglement with the Trump administration, are showing signs of recovery. It’s a reminder that public opinion can shift as quickly as it sours. For Musk, getting back to business might be the safest bet.
Musk’s tenure at DOGE, while ambitious, leaves a legacy of mixed results and hard lessons. For conservatives, it’s a case study in the uphill battle against entrenched government excess, even if the execution stumbled. Critics may argue DOGE caused more disruption than savings, but the intent to curb wasteful spending resonates with those tired of bloated bureaucracies. It’s just a shame the initiative couldn’t sustain momentum through its planned run.
Ultimately, Musk’s candid reflection on DOGE, aired on December 9, 2025, offers a rare glimpse into the challenges of reforming a system resistant to change. For those championing fiscal responsibility over unchecked budgets, even a “somewhat successful” effort is better than none. Let’s hope future endeavors learn from this bumpy ride.