Elon Musk Scales Back on DOGE and Politics, But He’s Not Leaving Washington

Billionaire Elon Musk says he’s reducing his political spending and scaling back his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). But anyone watching Washington closely knows: Musk isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Despite recent comments about focusing more on Tesla and less on politics, Musk appeared at the White House last week during a high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and South Africa’s president. Trump acknowledged Musk’s presence in a passing remark that hinted at the tech mogul’s enduring influence:

“Elon is from South Africa,” Trump said, gesturing toward him. “I don’t want to get Elon involved. That’s all I have to do, get him into another thing.”

Musk’s unannounced drop-in came just a day after he told an audience he planned to cut back on political donations. In an earlier earnings call with Tesla investors, he said he would devote more energy to the EV company and step away from DOGE’s daily operations.

Still, Musk noted that he’d continue to dedicate “one or two days a week” to government affairs — “as long as the president would like me to do so.”

Not Just a Flyby in DC

Musk didn’t stop at the Oval Office. He also met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill on both Wednesday and Thursday last week to discuss artificial intelligence and other technology-related policies.

It’s clear he remains a trusted adviser to the GOP, especially on innovation and cost-cutting strategies that align with the Trump administration’s priorities. Musk, once the informal face of DOGE, now seems to be transitioning into a behind-the-scenes role — though still highly influential.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas praised Musk’s continued contributions, calling him “an extraordinary business leader” who’s helped deliver results not just in business, but also in national politics.

“He’s made enormous sacrifices,” Cruz said, “and has worked free of charge to make our government more efficient.”

From Memes to Missions

DOGE — originally inspired by an internet meme — has become a core part of Trump’s second-term agenda. It focuses on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. Even as Musk retreats from day-to-day leadership, both he and the White House have signaled that DOGE will continue without him at the helm.

“DOGE employees who onboarded at their respective agencies will continue to work with President Trump’s cabinet to make our government more efficient,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Rep. John James of Michigan posted a selfie with Musk after a Thursday meeting, captioning it:

“Only in America could a meme become a mission to the moon and Making America Great Again.”

Democrats Remain Wary

Not everyone is celebrating Musk’s presence in Washington. Representative Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Wisconsin, dismissed Musk’s claim that he’s stepping away from politics.

“He put way too much money into that race,” Pocan said, referring to the 2024 election. “He’s still profiting off of that investment. He just realizes he can’t do it front and center.”

Musk May Be Posting Less, But He’s Still Pulling Strings

While Musk’s public political commentary may be slowing down and his DOGE involvement decreasing, his visits to Washington — and his continued closeness to the Trump administration — make one thing clear: Elon Musk isn’t going anywhere. At least not yet.

{Source: Business Insider}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com