Musk’s Doge Team Defends Controversial Overhaul of Federal Agencies

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a high-profile interview on Fox News Thursday evening, Elon Musk and seven members of his “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge) defended their controversial initiative aimed at revamping federal agencies amidst mounting public backlash and legal challenges.

The hour-long segment with host Bret Baier addressed concerns over significant cuts to key government bodies, including the Social Security Administration, which Musk claims will enhance services rather than diminish them. “Legitimate recipients of social security will receive more money not less money,” Musk stated. “Let the record show that I said this.”

Musk sought to downplay the impact of job cuts, asserting, “Basically almost no one has gotten fired.” He indicated that reductions affected only a small percentage of the federal workforce and emphasized that many employees left voluntarily. Despite these claims, plans are underway to lay off or buy out approximately 100,000 federal workers, following controversial terminations that courts deemed illegal.

Doge’s swift ascension to power has led to the dismantling of USAID, placing many former tech executives in critical roles across federal agencies. “We really believe that the government can have an Apple Store-like experience,” said Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb and a member of Doge, highlighting the group’s tech-driven approach.

As Doge embarks on its ambitious overhaul, critics have raised alarms about the potential damage to vital government services. Reports indicate that the Social Security Administration’s website has experienced repeated failures, causing delays for users. In response, Musk vowed to keep the website operational while increasing benefits.

Despite assertions from Doge representatives about their plans to improve efficiency, the initiative has drawn widespread scrutiny, with nearly two dozen lawsuits alleging violations of privacy and transparency laws. Polls indicate a majority disfavor the reforms championed by Musk, reflecting a polarized public sentiment.

Compounding these issues are the younger demographics of some staffers, raising questions about their qualifications and governance capabilities. Concerns have surfaced regarding the behavior of Doge employees, with allegations of them distancing themselves from other workers and mishandling sensitive government information. Notably, Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old adviser at the State Department, faced scrutiny for prior conduct.

Moreover, Musk has faced backlash for comments regarding perceived threats to Tesla locations, referring to acts of vandalism as “domestic terrorism” and suggesting that their occurrence is due to misinformation spread by the “far left.”

“We’re going to go after the ones providing the money and the lies,” Musk affirmed, emphasizing the need to counteract what he describes as harmful narratives.

Amid dissent and protests planned against Musk at Tesla showrooms this weekend, his Doge initiative continues to occupy a prominent, albeit contentious role in U.S. federal policy reform.