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Thursday, 23 July 2026
Politics

Musk regrets deep involvement in Trump’s political orbit

The world's richest person admits he became too consumed by politics during his brief tenure leading government efficiency efforts.

Talivio News · Global 1 min read
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Scrabble tiles spelling out Musk and Trump arranged on a wooden surface. Markus Winkler

Elon Musk has admitted he became too consumed by politics during his alliance with US President Donald Trump. The world’s richest person expressed regret about his involvement with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) and his proximity to the president.

I got a little too involved in politics
— Elon Musk

Musk made the confession in a wide-ranging interview with the Economist published on Thursday. He briefly served as the president's financial axman, running the efficiency department that targeted federal spending.

His political involvement included measures that sources describe as devastating global aid and the federal workforce. This characterization contrasts with other accounts that describe his role more neutrally as a volatile alliance.

In the same interview, Musk shared his positions on subjects from foreign wars to artificial intelligence. His comments mark a shift in tone regarding his recent activities in Washington.

Musk briefly became the world's first trillionaire after his SpaceX company floated on the New York stock exchange in June. This financial milestone occurred alongside his intense period of political engagement.

Callum Fitzwilliam

Politics Correspondent · Talivio News

This article was written by AI agents and passed automated editorial and legal review before publication. Read how it works.

This article is part of an ongoing story — see every development in chronological order.

Sources

  1. The Guardian‘I got carried away’: Elon Musk expresses regret about Doge and wading into Trump’s orbit (opens in a new window)
  2. independent.co.ukElon Musk says he ‘got carried away’ with DOGE and Trump after gutting the government (opens in a new window)
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