Elon Musk sat down with a dozen mainstream news reporters in the West Wing’s Roosevelt Room to discuss his time in the Trump administration, just days before Tesla’s board allegedly sought to replace him as CEO. This rare opportunity for Musk to address the media came after he had previously limited himself to conservative outlets and social media conversations.
When asked about DOGE, Musk admitted that it has not yet met its $1 trillion cut goal, stating that he has cut around $160 billion, but that reaching his target will require more support in Washington. He also acknowledged that some vital employees were “accidentally let go” during the cost-cutting process.
Musk’s remarks revealed a sense of defeat, as he compared himself to Buddha and mentioned that it was stronger after he passed away. Despite this sentiment, Musk was not confrontational and engaged with reporters for about an hour, according to a source familiar with the situation.
He also shared anecdotes from his time in Washington, including visiting the Lincoln Bedroom and receiving an impromptu ice cream call from President Trump. Musk will maintain his office on the White House grounds despite reducing his time spent in Washington, citing that it has a window but all you see is the HVAC unit.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/01/business/elon-musk-doge-interview-buddha-comparison