Elon Musk Says Government Role is Costing Him as He Nears $1 Trillion Deficit Cut Goal

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said his current role in the Trump administration is personally expensive. Speaking at a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Musk stated, “It’s costing me a lot to be in this job,” while addressing criticism from political opponents.

He pushed back against claims that his actions were harming social security and called out Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for mocking Tesla's stock performance. Musk claimed these public attacks have halved Tesla’s stock value, hurting both him and other shareholders.

????ELON MUSK: "The radical left say that we're stealing social security. First of all, I don't need the money. In fact, it's costing me a lot to be in this job. You had Tim Walz dancing on stage showing a chart of Tesla stock, which is an awful thing to do. What they're trying to… pic.twitter.com/AaQ1BSevny

— Autism Capital ???? (@AutismCapital) March 31, 2025

Musk Links Supreme Court Election to Broader Political Goals

Musk attended the event to support conservative candidates in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race. He described the election as crucial for former President Trump’s agenda and “the future of civilization.” During the event, Musk handed $1 million checks to two local voters, naming them representatives of his political movement.

Musk Aims to Cut $1 Trillion in Spending Before May Exit

According to Musk, his team is saving $4 billion per day, aiming to reduce federal spending from $7 trillion to $6 trillion in just 130 days. He expressed confidence in completing the task before his term ends in May, as his designation as a "special government employee" limits him to 130 working days.

He said most of the savings come from eliminating waste and inefficiencies, not cutting services.

Legal, Political Tensions Surround Musk's Government Role

Musk's actions have drawn both support and protest. His team is working across multiple federal agencies to identify wasteful spending. Meanwhile, political criticism continues to mount, especially over his influence in electoral politics and corporate impact.

Despite the backlash, Musk remains committed to finishing the work he started, suggesting that the long-term savings could reshape government efficiency strategies.

Read More: Donald Trump Demands Free Passage for U.S. Ships Through Panama and Suez Canals