Elon Musk, the influential CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has announced his intention to reduce his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly referred to as DOGE, starting in May. During a recent earnings call for Tesla, Musk revealed that he plans to allocate significantly more of his time to his electric car company as the foundational work of establishing DOGE is now largely complete.

Starting next month, Ill be allocating far more of my time to Tesla, now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done, Musk stated during the call. He indicated that he would still dedicate a day or two each week to DOGE matters, likely continuing this arrangement for the remainder of the current presidential term. Musk emphasized his commitment to support DOGE for as long as the President would like me to do so, and as long as it is useful.

Despite Musk's reassurances, his leadership role at DOGE has faced increasing scrutiny, particularly from Tesla investors. Many have expressed concern over his divided attention, urging him to step back from the controversial government initiative to focus more on Tesla, which is currently experiencing a significant sales slump. The pressures have been mounting as investors aim for a rebound in the company's performance.

Elon Musk's tenure at DOGE has not been without its challenges. Previously serving as a special advisor during the Trump administration, he was limited to a mere 130 days in that role. Reports have surfaced suggesting that Musk's influence within the White House is diminishing, with The Washington Post noting that rumors indicate he might be preparing to take on a less prominent role. Furthermore, Politico has reported that President Trump has been signaling to his close aides and Cabinet members that Musk will transition into a more supportive role in the near future.

The controversy surrounding Musk's involvement with DOGE has sparked widespread protests under the banner of 'Tesla Takedown.' Demonstrators have been gathering at Tesla showrooms and charging stations across the nation to voice their dissatisfaction with government spending cuts and the chaos associated with DOGE. These protests have drawn attention to the perceived mismanagement of funds and the challenges faced by ordinary citizens.

During the earnings call, Musk acknowledged the blowback from these protests, attributing the discontent to unidentified groups who allegedly benefit from what he described as wasteful dollars that his department aims to eliminate. Theyre obviously not going to admit that the reason that theyre protesting is because theyre receiving fraudulent money or that theyre the recipients of wasteful largess, Musk remarked, suggesting that the protests stem from self-interest rather than genuine grievances.

Musk has claimed that DOGE has been effective in reducing waste and fraud within the federal government, but these assertions have come under fire. Critics have pointed out numerous inaccuracies in the department's reports. For instance, a recent article in the New York Times highlighted that DOGE had either erased or altered over 1,000 contracts it previously claimed to have canceled, which accounted for more than 40 percent of all contracts listed on its website.

As Musk prepares to shift his focus back to Tesla, it remains to be seen whether he will indeed spend less time at DOGE, or if that arrangement will prove to be a moving target. Ill have to continue doing it for the remainder of the presidents term, just to make sure that the waste and fraud that we stop does not come roaring back, he concluded, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to government matters. So I think Ill continue to spend a day or two per week on government matters, for as long as the President would like me to do so, and as long as it is useful.