Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X, has turned the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headquarters in Washington, D.C., not just as his workplace but as his new living quarters. Reportedly, Musk has been sleeping at the DOGE offices, located just steps away from the White House, as he works to streamline federal operations and cut unnecessary government spending.
The DOGE is housed within the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and was established under the Trump administration to promote efficiency and reduce bureaucratic excess. Musk’s involvement with DOGE has placed him at the center of significant reforms aimed at not just simplifying government operations but reshaping them entirely.
According to reports from WIRED, Musk has told friends about his living situation at DOGE, claiming he is too busy to return home after long days at work. He even shared at a recent black-tie dinner hosted by the Alfalfa Club about being invited to spend the night at the famed Lincoln Bedroom within the White House. "+Though he acknowledged the offer, he opted instead to stay at DOGE, likely to avoid making his relationship with the president's team more formal. This decision stands out considering Chief of Staff Susie Wiles had previously denied Musk office space in the West Wing, as noted by the Daily Mail.
This is not the first time Musk’s intense commitment to his work has made headlines. Earlier during his time at Tesla, he was known for occasionally sleeping on the factory floor, allowing employees to see their leader’s dedication and bolstering their morale. Musk expressed this philosophy during interviews, insisting on the importance of visibility and presence. "It was my primary residence," he remarked during one such conversation. "This is important because if the team thinks their leader is off somewhere having fun, they knew I was there, and it made all the difference." This ethos of relentless work has been integral to his management style, especially now at DOGE.
DOGE is not just another government office. The initiative aims to dismantle unnecessary programs and cut wasteful expenditures. Its focus has already led to substantial savings for taxpayers, with estimates of around $1 billion saved per day by halting redundant hiring practices and significantly reviewing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives criticized by Musk for not contributing productively to government operations.
The decision to remove certain diversity programs has sparked criticism from various quarters, especially from lawmakers such as Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has questioned the efficacy and necessity of creating DOGE aimed at doing "the work of one person with two people." Critics like Warren have joked about Musk’s undertaking on social media, calling the agency's formation and the changing directives "REALLY efficient".
Nevertheless, Musk remains undeterred—and his initiatives at DOGE reflect his broader ambition to make government operations more business-like and efficient. Recently, DOGE announced plans to focus heavily on decreasing production costs across the board, and Musk's team is even assessing the possibility of halting penny production entirely—claiming it no longer serves economic value with production costs exceeding its face value, which results in significant taxpayer losses.
Despite the controversies surrounding his leadership style, Musk continues to enlist supporters. Vivek Ramaswamy joined him initially to co-lead DOGE but stepped back to pursue gubernatorial ambitions, leaving Musk to push forward independently. Online conversations around DOGE suggest skepticism about its long-term effectiveness; still, Musk’s commitment to hard work and efficiency contributes to its narrative momentum.
Nonetheless, Musk’s approach reflects what many see as toxic workplace culture within the tech industry. Reports of long hours and intense pressure following him from his management at Tesla to X raise questions about the working conditions his employees face. Yet, Tesla workers may have seen this relentless drive as motivation as Musk directed employees to adopt similar lifestyles, implying it was needed for success. His warning to Twitter employees made headlines when he indicated only those willing to endure rigorous demands would remain as part of his new vision for the platform.
While reports indicate Musk's presence at DOGE is intended to lead by example, it shines light on the fervor the CEO maintains about work ethic. His ambitions and dedication are undeniably tied to his identity as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals—a commitment he carries regardless of the physical space he occupies.
The ambitious initiative promises to cut down billions more from federal spending, driven by Musk's controversial management style and his past practices. Whether this will lead to more tangible improvements will depend as the newly formed agency continues to develop its agenda amid public scrutiny. Recent efforts have already halted numerous initiatives across the federal spectrum, marking substantive moves only time will indicate how effective they truly are.