Elon Musk’s role as a special government employee at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Donald Trump administration is set to end on May 30, 2025. Despite stepping down, Elon Musk plans to continue his involvement with the department on a part-time basis. In a recent White House interaction, Elon Musk humorously compared his role to that of Buddha, asking whether Buddha was necessary for Buddhism, suggesting that the department would thrive without him.
Elon Musk’s tenure at DOGE has garnered attention, especially as he prepares to conclude his official duties. When asked about the future of the department after his departure, Elon Musk responded with a philosophical analogy, saying, “Is Buddha needed for Buddhism? Was it not stronger after he passed away?” He further added that DOGE was “kind of a way of life,” with new converts joining continuously, implying that the organization would continue to function well in his absence.
Although his tenure officially ends in May, Elon Musk clarified that he would still offer his expertise part-time. “I’m willing to contribute one to two days a week, which, you know, probably means coming to DC every other week for three days type of thing,” he explained. Elon Musk’s continued involvement with DOGE will depend on the needs and requests of President Donald Trump. He emphasized his flexibility in responding to emergencies but mentioned that his participation would be manageable with minimal time commitment.
While Elon Musk prepares to scale back his time in Washington, he will retain his office on the White House grounds. In a lighthearted remark, he mentioned that the office has a view of an HVAC unit, which he joked would make it more difficult for anyone to “shoot” him, showcasing his typical sense of humor.
In the same week, Elon Musk responded to a report by the Wall Street Journal, which claimed that Tesla and its board were looking for a new CEO. He vehemently denied the claim, calling the article “deliberately false” and criticizing the publication for not including a denial from Tesla’s board before publishing the story. Elon Musk’s response on social media underscored his frustration with the media coverage surrounding the issue.
