President Donald Trump Reportedly Questioned the Validity of Elon Musk’s DOGE Promises
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A recent article from The Wall Street Journal has brought to light apparent tensions between Elon Musk and the Trump administration before Musk’s exit from the Department of Government Efficiency on May 30th. The report claims that Trump privately questioned the validity of Musk’s cost-cutting pledges regarding DOGE, as the outcomes fell significantly short of expectations.
Elon Musk, who assumed leadership of DOGE for a four-month term, had previously asserted that the agency could potentially save the government a staggering $2 trillion. However, the actual savings amounted to a fraction of that figure, with DOGE estimating around $175 billion in savings. This number has even been contested as an exaggeration by various news outlets scrutinizing the expenditures.
Despite appearing united during their final joint press conference, there were speculations about underlying tensions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk that ultimately led to the latter’s departure. Trump was reported to have expressed doubts regarding Musk’s ambitious cost-cutting goals, prompting him to question his advisers about the validity of the promises made by Musk concerning DOGE.
On the day of Musk’s departure, Trump officials were quoted by The Wall Street Journal expressing the president’s skepticism towards the tech billionaire. This skepticism reportedly stemmed from the discrepancy between Musk’s claims of massive savings and the actual results achieved during his tenure with DOGE. Additionally, high legal fees and revenue loss resulting from DOGE’s cost reductions reportedly offset any potential savings.
Although Musk expressed confidence in DOGE’s ability to deliver substantial savings, he stepped down as its de facto leader as his 130-day special government employee contract concluded. Despite his departure, Musk stated that this marked just the beginning for DOGE, underscoring his commitment to supporting the agency’s endeavours moving forward.
According to reports, there were instances where Musk maintained secrecy around DOGE’s operations, even from top administration officials. His alleged confrontations with trade adviser Peter Navarro and his opposition to certain Trump administration policies raised concerns among White House staff, prompting Trump to seek closer monitoring of Musk’s activities.
Musk’s purported involvement in foreign relations matters, particularly his desire for sensitive briefings on China and disputes over business deals during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, further strained his relationship with the administration. These incidents, along with Musk’s contentious departure and reported criticism of Trump’s spending bill, have underscored the complexities of their interactions.
Addressing allegations of drug use raised by a recent New York Times report, Musk vehemently dismissed the claims during a media session, highlighting discrepancies in the publication’s past reporting. The article had detailed Musk’s alleged drug habits, including ketamine use, during the time he was forming ties with Trump’s circle.
Although Trump and Musk displayed camaraderie during public appearances, reports suggest underlying tensions and disagreements that contributed to Musk’s eventual departure from his government role. The dynamic between these prominent figures underscores the intricacies of navigating business and political partnerships at the highest levels of leadership.