Officially designated as a "special government employee," Musk was able to lend his expertise for 130 days annually, a term that has drawn scrutiny amid contrasting stances toward Trump's fiscal strategies. Despite Musk’s initial ambitious goal to slash $2 trillion from federal budgets, he later downgraded his target due to the complexities encountered throughout his time in office—culminating in over 260,000 federal job losses attributed to Doge initiatives, many of which faced lawsuits and reversals.

His governmental service coincided with challenges regarding Tesla’s financial performance, including a notable decline in sales and mounting criticisms of his political involvement, which activists have vehemently protested against. As he steps away from Doge to refocus on Tesla, Musk maintains that the mission of the program will continue to evolve as part of the governmental framework. His recent comments underline his commitment to Tesla's future as he navigates these turbulent waters.