Elon Musk says he may keep doing DOGE work for ‘the remainder’ of Trump’s term

Tech Crunch - Apr 22nd, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, plans to reduce his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) amid significant backlash and a notable drop in Tesla's profits. Musk announced his decision during Tesla's quarterly earnings call, stating he would continue his involvement for a limited time as long as it remains beneficial. This decision follows Tesla's disclosure of a 71% decrease in profits, partly attributed to Musk's political activities and the negative sentiment it has generated. Protests have erupted worldwide against Musk's role in the Trump administration, which Musk dismisses as funded by fraudulent interests without providing evidence.

Musk's involvement with DOGE has been contentious, with critics urging him to withdraw from politics to focus on Tesla. His work with DOGE, aimed at reducing government inefficiency, has drawn significant opposition, leading to protests and impacting Tesla's market perception. Musk's comments and continued involvement place further stress on Tesla's relationship with investors, some of whom have expressed concerns about the company's future if Musk does not prioritize Tesla's core business. As a special government employee, Musk's role is limited, but the implications of his political engagement continue to reverberate through Tesla's performance and public image.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant account of Elon Musk's involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency and its implications for Tesla. It presents a clear and engaging narrative, focusing on the controversies surrounding Musk's political role and its impact on the company's financial performance. However, the story could benefit from greater balance and source diversity, as it primarily relies on Musk's perspective without incorporating a wider range of viewpoints or expert insights. The accuracy of the article is generally sound, though some claims require further verification and evidence. Enhancing transparency and providing more context about the methodology and sources would improve the article's credibility. Overall, the story effectively captures reader interest and highlights important issues, but it could be strengthened by addressing these areas of improvement.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article presents a generally accurate depiction of Elon Musk's involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its implications for Tesla. Key claims, such as Musk's role as a special government employee, his intention to reduce involvement, and the financial impact on Tesla, align with available information. However, the article lacks verification for some of Musk's statements, such as his claims about protests being paid for, which are presented without evidence. The story accurately reflects Musk's comments and the context of Tesla's financial challenges, but it could improve by providing more substantiated evidence for certain assertions.

6
Balance

The article predominantly focuses on Musk's perspective and the challenges faced by Tesla due to his political involvement. While it mentions criticism from Wall Street and public protests, it does not provide a comprehensive range of viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as government officials or Tesla employees. The story could benefit from including more diverse perspectives to present a balanced view of the situation, such as insights from political analysts or independent experts on government efficiency.

8
Clarity

The article is generally well-structured and easy to follow. It presents the information in a logical sequence, starting with Musk's comments and moving to the broader implications for Tesla. The language is clear and concise, making the story accessible to a general audience. However, the article could benefit from clearer differentiation between factual information and Musk's opinions, particularly regarding the protests. Overall, the clarity of the article supports reader comprehension and engagement.

5
Source quality

The article relies heavily on Musk's statements and Tesla's earnings call without citing additional sources for verification. There is a lack of attributed sources or expert commentary to support the claims made. The reliance on a single perspective limits the depth of the analysis and raises questions about the reliability of the information presented. Including insights from credible sources or industry experts would enhance the article's credibility and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of Musk's statements and the context of Tesla's financial performance. However, it lacks transparency regarding the basis of some claims, especially those related to protests and political sentiment affecting sales. The story could improve by disclosing the methodology used to gather information and any potential conflicts of interest. Providing more context about the sources of information and the process of verification would enhance the transparency and trustworthiness of the article.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency
  2. https://economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/elon-musk-us-department-of-government-efficiency/articleshow/118818585.cms
  3. https://budget.house.gov/press-release/via-the-hill-what-a-trump-musk-government-efficiency-department-should-do-in-its-first-100-days
  4. https://ash.harvard.edu/articles/efficiency-%E2%88%92-or-empire-how-elon-musks-hostile-takeover-could-end-government-as-we-know-it/
  5. https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20250422-musk-says-will-reduce-work-for-trump-administration-in-may-to-focus-on-tesla-doge-usa