Musk Leaving DOGE Buddhism without Buddha

St. Croix Times Staff

Elon Musk confidentially compared himself to the Buddha as he insisted his federal cost-cutting efforts would continue long after he leaves his role at the White House.

“Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?” the Tesla Founder said recently when asked who would lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) when he leaves his role. “Was it not stronger after he passed away?” he asked a reporter. “DOGE is a kind of a way of life…we make converts all the time.”

The world’s richest man offered up the comparison as he sat down with reporters at the White House to mark President Trump’s 100th day in office. 

While the billionaire tech entrepreneur’s status as a special government employee officially expires on May 30, 2025, he is still expected to continue advising the DOGE effort informally. 

“I’m willing to contribute on average, one to two days a week, which, you know, probably means coming to DC every other week for three days, that type of thing. Indefinitely, as long as the President wants me to do it,” Mr. Musk stated. 

He added that his future involvement was “at the discretion of the President.”

“Obviously if the President or the Cabinet has an emergency that they want me to respond to, then I’ll do that. But otherwise, it’s just, I think it’s pretty manageable with one to two days on average,” the Space X Honcho remarked. 

Mr. Musk was adamant that DOGE would continue even after he steps back,  saying roughly 100 employees still work for the budget-slashing department. 

“Everybody’s not leaving,” he said. “No, some will stay on, some will not. So, it’s up to them. This is basically a volunteer organization.” 

In recent weeks, the billionaire’s new found sway has sparked furious nationwide backlash, as protests and violence boomed across the U.S. against Mr. Musk and his Tesla cars and dealerships. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed challenging Mr. Musk’s mass firing tactics, accusing his taskforce of violating numerous laws. As a result Mr. Musk’s personal popularity has sunk to record lows, going from being everyone’s Golden Boy to the Goat. Tesla’s profits have also tanked. But it’s doubtful anyone is holding out a tin cup for him.