Katie Miller gets Elon Musk to reveal shocking DOGE confession on her podcast and he won’t do it again

Katie Miller sat down with Elon Musk on her podcast on December 9, 2025, where the billionaire revealed a shocking confession about his time leading DOGE. Musk said that instead of running the Department of Government Efficiency, he would have focused on his business empire if given the choice again. His candid remarks expose deep regrets about the high-profile role that consumed months of his life.

Katie Miller Gets the Shocking DOGE Confession from Elon Musk

On December 9, 2025, Katie Miller conducted a nearly hour-long interview with Elon Musk on her podcast, The Katie Miller Podcast. During their discussion about his time at DOGE, Musk made a stunning admission that caught listeners’ attention. When asked whether he would lead the department again given the opportunity to go back in time, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO declined without hesitation.

Musk stated that instead of leading DOGE, he would have devoted that time to his companies. The billionaire’s comment reveals the opportunity cost of his government service. His work at DOGE lasted from January through May 2025, roughly five months of significant time commitment.

Why Musk Won’t Lead DOGE Again, According to the Billionaire

The core reason behind Musk’s reluctance to repeat his DOGE experience centers on success metrics. Musk told Katie Miller that DOGE was only “a little bit successful” and “somewhat successful” in reaching its original goals. The initiative aimed to cut $1 trillion in federal spending, but progress fell short of ambitious targets.

Musk sacrificed tremendous personal opportunity to focus on DOGE work. His Tesla stock price fluctuated during his tenure, and the company faced competition pressures. By stepping back in May after disagreements with President Trump, he demonstrated that the opportunity cost of government work exceeded the perceived impact he could achieve.

The billionaire’s regret highlights a common pattern among business leaders in government roles: the tension between achieving transformational change and maintaining core business empires. For Musk, his companies appear to represent greater personal and economic value than trying to reform federal spending inefficiency.

What Katie Miller’s Podcast Revealed About DOGE’s Actual Impact

Metric	Details
Musk’s Assessment	“Somewhat successful” in federal spending reduction
Duration of Leadership	January 2025 through May 2025 (5 months)
Original DOGE Target	$1 trillion in federal spending cuts
Musk’s Reported Cuts	Approximately $160 billion
Reason for Stepping Down	Public disagreement with President Trump in May 2025

Miller Praises Musk’s DOGE Work While He Shows Regret

An interesting dynamic emerged during the podcast interview: Katie Miller lavished praise on Musk for his work at DOGE, describing his efforts as “inspirational.” However, the billionaire maintained a far more cautious and regretful stance about his government service. This contrast shows how perspectives diverge on his achievements.

Miller acknowledged that Musk “gave up a lot” to take on DOGE responsibility. Musk agreed with this assessment, noting the substantial personal sacrifice involved. Despite this mutual recognition of the cost, the billionaire still maintains that the impact did not justify the opportunity cost to his business endeavors.

The podcast interview demonstrated professional respect between the two former DOGE colleagues, yet revealed their differing evaluations of his tenure’s ultimate success. Katie Miller’s more favorable view contrasts with Musk’s clear regret about the time commitment and limited outcomes.

What Does Musk’s Confession Mean for Future Government Roles?

Musk’s shocking confession suggests he likely will not pursue government positions in the future. His explicit statement that he wouldn’t do DOGE again appears definitive. The billionaire appears to have learned that transforming large government bureaucracies requires more time and political leverage than he possessed.

This confession could influence how future business leaders approach government invitations. If someone as powerful and motivated as Musk found the DOGE experience disappointing, others may think twice before accepting similar roles. Government efficiency initiatives require sustained political support, congressional cooperation, and institutional willingness to accept change—factors largely beyond any individual’s control.

Musk’s public comments also signal to the Trump administration that he remains willing to advise but reluctant to lead. His companies continue to receive government contracts and face regulatory scrutiny, so maintaining positive relationships matters to him despite his regrets about his DOGE tenure.

Will Katie Miller Pursue DOGE Successor Roles or Focus on Podcasting?

While Elon Musk expressed reluctance about future government service, Katie Miller has charted a different path. She left full-time work with Musk in August 2025 to focus on her podcasting career. The strategy appears to work, with her show gaining significant listeners across major platforms including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Rumble.

Miller’s approach suggests she found greater appeal in media and commentary work than in government service itself. By interviewing prominent figures like Musk, Mike Johnson, Pete Hegseth, and Jen Hegseth, she has built an audience interested in political analysis and insider perspectives. This pivot toward independent media differs sharply from Musk’s desire to return to his business empire.

“I think instead of doing DOGE, I would have basically built—worked on my companies, essentially.”

— Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX

Sources

• BBC News – Interview transcript and analysis of Elon Musk’s DOGE confession on The Katie Miller Podcast
• Axios – Coverage of Musk’s statements about DOGE’s limited success and his decision not to participate again
• USA Today – Details about the podcast interview and Musk’s regrets about his government tenure