Tesla CEO and head of the United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, announced he will significantly scale back his involvement in the government agency starting in May. During Tesla’s Q1 earnings call, Musk said his time allocation for DOGE “will drop significantly,” though he affirmed that he will continue to commit “a day or two per week” to ensure the agency’s mission continues.

“That the waste and fraud does not come roaring back,” Musk emphasized as a key reason for his continued oversight of DOGE operations. His remarks aimed to reassure both government and corporate audiences that he remains committed to government efficiency, even with reduced hands-on time.

The announcement comes amid Tesla’s recent financial downturn, with shares of the company falling after a disappointing quarterly earnings report. In response, Musk stated he would redirect more of his attention toward managing Tesla during this challenging period.

Speculation had surfaced about whether Musk planned to step down entirely from DOGE. Addressing those rumors directly, Musk posted on X: “Not stepping down, just reducing time allocation now that DOGE is established.” The clarification reinforces his intent to maintain a strategic role in the agency while giving priority to Tesla’s recovery.

Musk’s dual leadership of both a major tech corporation and a government agency has drawn significant public interest. His latest announcement signals a recalibration of responsibilities rather than a retreat from public service, as he works to balance innovation with institutional efficiency.