Elon Musk, CEO of electric car manufacturer Tesla and advisor to US President Donald Trump, will spend less time on DOGE, the task force for government efficiency in the United States, starting next month.
During a briefing on Tesla’s quarterly results on Tuesday, Musk stated, "The time I spend on DOGE will likely reduce significantly from May onwards."
"From next month, I will devote more time to Tesla," he added. Musk noted that the "crucial work" conducted with the task force is "largely completed".
These announcements came after a challenging quarter for Tesla, where revenues fell by 9% to $19.3 billion, and profits plummeted by 71% to $409 million. The company delivered 13% fewer vehicles globally in the first quarter of the year, totalling 336,681.
Musk’s advisory role for Trump has sparked discontent among some customers. Critics have called for a boycott of Tesla, and several dealerships, charging stations, and customer vehicles have been vandalised.
Musk remarked, "As is known, the time I have spent with the government has had consequences," while emphasising that "the work we do there is quite important to manage the insane deficit driving the United States towards a cliff."
He accused those who "received wasted dollars" of being behind the "attacks" on him and "those associated with me."
