Elon Musk, who was appointed by Donald Trump to lead the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and served as a key advisor to the president, stated that he does not want to "take responsibility for everything this administration is doing."
The magnate, who stepped down from his formal role in the government this Friday, stated in an interview with CBS News that he believed the criticisms of his Government Efficiency Department were "unfair" and that he does not want to take responsibility for Trump's actions.
Musk, in a conversation with journalist David Pogue, also acknowledged that he does not agree with everything the administration does. "I mean, I agree with a lot of what the administration does. But we have differences of opinion. There are things I don’t completely agree with," he said.
He immediately added that he did not want to "speak against the administration," but neither did he want to "assume responsibility for everything that is being done."
The businessman claims to have saved the Government $175 billion so far, although his original target was $2 billion. All of this occurred before the new bill, referred to by Donald Trump as "the big and beautiful," was approved by the House of Representatives.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the project will add $3.8 billion to the debt over the next ten years.
Regarding this, Musk exclaimed: "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, that increases the budget deficit, rather than reducing it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."
"I believe that a bill can be great or it can be beautiful. But I don't know if it can be both. That is my personal opinion," he acknowledged.
Days after the interview, Donald Trump dismissed Musk and praised his management as "a colossal change" in the way politics is conducted in Washington
Musk, who led the controversial DOGE for 130 days, received a symbolic key from the president in recognition of his work.
For his part, Musk announced that his departure is due to the expiration of his temporary contract, but he assured that he will continue to advise Trump informally.
He added that "this is not the end of DOGE, but the beginning... The DOGE team will strengthen over time... It's spreading throughout the government, and I am confident that, in time, we will see a reduction of one trillion dollars in waste and fraud."
Though brief, Musk's time in the Trump administration has made a significant impact. Under his leadership, DOGE implemented structural reforms, carried out massive budget cuts, and redesigned bureaucratic processes with a technological approach that was widely criticized by various sectors of American society.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elon Musk's Departure from Donald Trump's Administration
Why did Elon Musk leave his position at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?
Elon Musk completed his 130-day temporary contract as a Special Government Employee, which was the stipulated limit for his position. Although his departure was hastened by criticism of a tax bill promoted by Trump, Musk stated that his time had simply come to an end.
What was Elon Musk's impact on DOGE during his tenure?
Elon Musk was praised by Trump for making a "colossal change" in the way politics is conducted in Washington. Under his leadership, the DOGE saved the government more than $160 billion, although Musk initially promised to cut $2 trillion. His aggressive approach to reducing expenses and modernizing the federal administration garnered both praise and criticism.
What was the relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump like during the time they worked together?
Despite some differences and Musk's criticisms of certain Trump projects, the relationship between them remained positive. Trump praised Musk's work and stated that his influence would continue in the government, while Musk confirmed that he would continue to informally advise Trump.
What challenges did Musk face while leading DOGE?
Musk faced multiple challenges, including internal conflicts with members of Trump's cabinet and resistance to his cost-cutting methods. The federal bureaucracy and opposition within the government were significant obstacles that complicated his efforts to implement deep structural changes.
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