After 100 days, Musk says reform is ‘painful’—And he’s working fewer days in D.C.

Washington D.C. – Elon Musk described his first 100 days as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as “very, very intense,” acknowledging both significant cost-cutting and persistent challenges from what he called an “entrenched set of interests.” Sitting in the Roosevelt Room alongside top DOGE officials Steve Davis, Antonio Gracias, and Anthony Armstrong, Musk gave a candid update on the fledgling agency’s goals, struggles, and future.

According to Musk, DOGE has already saved American taxpayers $160 billion, a figure he says equates to roughly $1.6 billion per day. Still, that falls far short of his initial pledge to slash $2 trillion in spending — later revised to $1 trillion. Musk said hitting that $1 trillion mark is “possible,” but would require “more support” and a willingness by Congress and the Cabinet to endure political backlash. “It comes down to how much pain is the cabinet and Congress willing to take,” Musk said.

Criticizing federal budgeting practices as an automatic “plus 5% every year,” Musk compared reforming government spending to “changing the direction of a fleet of supertankers.” Despite frustrations, he insisted progress is being made, though slowly.

Musk also addressed DOGE’s investigations into alleged fraud. He confirmed the department has referred dozens of cases to the Department of Justice, including 57 voter fraud cases involving non-citizens. Musk claimed DOGE had uncovered “hundreds of thousands” of fraudulent activities but said DOJ capacity would determine how many cases could realistically be prosecuted.

Describing his daily life in Washington, Musk said he sometimes sleeps in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom and likened the workload to running a startup. He’s now reducing his D.C. presence, planning to work from the capital only one to two days per week. “We’re getting into more of a rhythm,” Musk said, joking that DOGE is more of a “way of life” than an agency.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO also offered rare insights into his relationship with President Trump, whom he called a friend. Musk recounted spontaneous overnight stays at the White House or Mar-a-Lago, including a memorable late-night call from Trump urging him to grab some ice cream from the White House kitchen. “I ate a whole tub… it’s epic,” Musk laughed, before adding, “Don’t tell RFK,” a reference to Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.

Musk ended with a philosophical flourish, reflecting on the absurdity of DOGE — once a meme — becoming a serious arm of government. “Are we in a simulation here?” he asked. “It was a memecoin at one point. How did we get here?”