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As his term as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) nears its end, Elon Musk is reflecting on the legacy he’ll leave behind—and he’s not worried. Speaking at a White House press briefing marking President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office, Musk likened his eventual departure from the role to a spiritual transformation.
“Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?” he asked reporters, suggesting that DOGE, the cost-cutting federal initiative he currently leads, will thrive even in his absence. “Was it not stronger after he passed away?” he added, according to The Washington Post.
Musk’s official term as a special government employee overseeing DOGE is set to conclude on May 30. While he’ll no longer be at the helm, he doesn’t plan to walk away entirely. “I’m willing to contribute, on average, one to two days a week,” he said. “That probably means coming to D.C. every other week for three days or so—as long as the president wants me to.”
Future involvement, he noted, would be “at the discretion of the president.”
Musk emphasized that while his leadership may be winding down, the department’s mission isn’t. “Everybody’s not leaving,” he explained. “Some will stay on, some will not. So, it’s up to them. This is basically a volunteer organization.”
Founded to reduce government spending and streamline federal operations, DOGE currently operates with a team of about 100 people. For Musk, it’s more than a government agency—it’s a movement. “DOGE is kind of a way of life… we make converts all the time,” he said.
Even as he prepares to take a step back, Musk remains confident that DOGE’s principles—and its people—will continue the work of reimagining government efficiency long after his official role ends.
