DOGE is not your average government project. According to Elon Musk, it is something deeper. “A way of life, like Buddhism,” he said, standing outside the White House. That is a bold take! But Musk stands by it. Even as he steps away, he believes DOGE could go strong until 2029.
Right now, DOGE (short for the Department of Government Efficiency) is scheduled to end in 2026. But Musk thinks it should keep going. And he says it could, as long as President Trump wants it to. For Musk, the work done under DOGE has already reshaped how the government runs.
Can DOGE Survive Without Musk?
DOGE was Musk’s idea. He brought the energy, the spotlight, and the power plays. So, it is natural to wonder, what happens when he steps back? Musk doesn’t seem worried. In his words, DOGE no longer needs him. Its systems are built. The culture is set. Now, it runs on its own.
It doesn’t need a single figure at the top. It just needs people who believe in its mission: cutting waste and speeding up the government.
Musk is Shifting to Tesla Full-Time
Musk says he has done the heavy lifting. Starting in May, he is shifting back to Tesla full-time. And that timing is not random. Tesla has taken some hits lately, missing revenue targets and scaring investors. First-quarter numbers were rough, with a 9% drop in revenue and a 71% plunge in earnings per share.
He told shareholders he needs to be back at Tesla to fix things. Makes sense. His companies are his top priority. But his exit from DOGE is not a total goodbye. It is more like letting go of the wheel once the car’s on cruise control.
DOGE’s Work Isn’t Done Yet!
Even with the foundation built, DOGE still has a job to do. Government waste doesn’t disappear in one year. Programs still bloat. Budgets still balloon. DOGE’s mission – to slash red tape and save money – is far from over. Musk says the group could deliver up to $1 trillion in long-term savings.
But it won’t be easy. DOGE’s actions have stirred up plenty of backlash. There have been protests, lawsuits, and public anger over massive layoffs. Some Tesla dealerships were even vandalized by people angry at Musk’s politics and DOGE’s tactics. The group has also been accused of pushing fraudulent claims without evidence.
The 2026 Deadline and Beyond
DOGE was created with an end date: July 4, 2026. It is technically temporary. But if President Trump signs off, it could live on. Musk thinks that it is not just possible but necessary. He says the systems DOGE built are hard to undo. That is the point: Lock in the gains so they stick.
Musk’s job, in his view, was just to build the engine. Now, it is up to others to keep driving.
Who Leads DOGE Next After Musk’s Exit?
Musk stepping down raises the big question: who leads next? There is no clear answer yet. DOGE is not a company with a CEO. It is a government task force with a rotating cast. But if it wants to stay alive past 2026, someone will need to keep it focused.
That is the real test. DOGE needs leaders who understand the mission and can handle the heat. It also needs public trust – which might be tough after the recent controversies. But if it finds the right team, DOGE could become something rare: a government effort that actually works.