Elon Musk has compared his upcoming departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the lasting influence of Buddhism, implying that the department will continue to succeed without his direct leadership.
“Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?” Musk asked during a White House press briefing, referring to the agency he currently heads. “Was it not stronger after he passed away?” he added, as reported by the Washington Post.
Musk made the comments while speaking to reporters on President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office. His official term as a special government employee leading DOGE is set to conclude on May 30, but he stated he intends to stay involved in an advisory role.
“I’m willing to contribute, on average, one to two days a week,” Musk said. “That probably means coming to D.C. every other week for three days or so — as long as the president wants me to.”
He added that his continued involvement would be “at the discretion of the president.”
As he prepares to scale back, Musk affirmed that DOGE’s operations will persist. “Everybody’s not leaving,” he said. “Some will stay on, some will not. So, it’s up to them. This is basically a volunteer organization.”
Describing DOGE as more than a government program, Musk said, “DOGE is kind of a way of life… we make converts all the time.”
Established to cut federal spending and improve efficiency, DOGE employs around 100 people. Musk expressed confidence that the department’s mission will carry on, even as his role changes.
