Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a senior adviser to President Trump, shared in a recent interview that he and the president generally see eye to eye on about 80% of the issues.
During an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “My Views with Lala Trump,” the president’s stepdaughter prompted Musk to discuss his connection with Trump.
“I see the president as a friend, and I think he views me similarly. We’re doing quite well,” Musk said to Lala Trump on Saturday. “I believe if you asked the same questions in different rooms, around 80% of people would give matching answers.”
“That’s not to imply we always agree, but very close,” he continued, “I’m on board with reducing government waste and fraud while ensuring we adhere to the rule of law.”
Musk’s special role with the government is set to end on May 30th. Last month, he informed Tesla investors that he aims to devote less time to other ventures while leading the Ministry of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
He mentioned to reporters last week that he would cut back his responsibilities at DOGE to one or two days each week.
When questioned last Wednesday about potentially stepping away entirely, Musk noted it would be “at the president’s discretion.”
Trump remarked that “at some point, he wants to return to cars,” as long as Musk is still “invited” to the White House.
The president noted that Musk’s DOGE has identified a potential $150 billion reduction in federal expenditures, expressing optimism that “something in the works” could double or triple that figure. Musk had previously stated in January that the “best-case scenario” would involve slashing federal spending to $2 trillion.
Musk has also spearheaded initiatives aimed at substantially decreasing the federal workforce. A report from last week indicated that nearly half of all layoffs in the first four months of 2025 were linked to DOGE’s actions or their ripple effects, impacting nonprofits and educational institutions as well.
Despite this collaboration, a noticeable divide has developed between Musk and Trump regarding tariffs. Musk envisions a future where the US and Europe may move toward a “zero tariff situation,” while Trump has consistently advocated for a more protectionist trade policy.
