Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X, is making waves once again—this time for his extreme work habits. According to WIRED, Musk has taken his ‘hardcore’ work ethic to unprecedented levels by reportedly living inside the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) headquarters in Washington, DC.
Yes, you read that correctly. Instead of opting for luxury accommodation or even the White House itself, Musk has chosen to crash at DOGE’s offices inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, just a short distance from the White House. Intriguingly, reports suggest that he was even invited to stay in the iconic Lincoln Bedroom but turned down the offer. The reason? Sources indicate that Musk wanted to avoid formal ties with former President Donald Trump’s administration after Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, denied him office space in the West Wing, according to the Daily Mail.
Musk’s hardcore work ethic
For those familiar with Musk’s career, this move is hardly surprising. Known for his relentless approach to work, Musk has long been an advocate of extreme dedication. He once famously slept on Tesla’s factory floor, arguing that leading by example was crucial.
In a 2022 interview with investor Ron Baron, Musk explained:
“This is important because if the team thinks their leader is off somewhere having a good time, drinking Mai Tais on a tropical island… they knew I was there, and that made a huge difference.”
Now, that same level of commitment is being applied to his leadership of DOGE, a department tasked with slashing government spending and streamlining bureaucracy. And it’s not just rhetoric—Musk’s influence has already led to significant financial savings for the government.
Cutting costs and slashing bureaucracy
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has reportedly saved taxpayers approximately $1 billion per day. The department has aggressively pursued cost-cutting measures by freezing unnecessary hiring, reducing expenditure, and eliminating programmes related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In fact, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Chief Diversity Officers Executive Council website has already been taken offline—an early sign of Musk’s no-nonsense approach.
His reforms have sparked both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that Musk is bringing much-needed efficiency to government operations, while detractors claim that his methods risk dismantling essential programmes.
The penny problem: Musk’s latest target
One of Musk’s most intriguing new initiatives at DOGE involves a nationwide review of the penny—the one-cent coin that has long been a topic of debate among economists.
Producing a single penny costs more than its actual value, and in 2023 alone, taxpayers lost an estimated $179 million just to keep the coin in circulation. As part of his cost-cutting crusade, Musk is now considering whether the U.S. should follow in the footsteps of countries like Canada, which eliminated its penny in 2013.
If Musk gets his way, the penny could soon become obsolete—potentially saving the U.S. government millions each year. However, such a move is likely to face pushback from traditionalists and businesses that still rely on cash transactions.
Concerns over Musk’s leadership style
Despite the financial benefits of Musk’s policies, his leadership style remains a point of contention. His well-documented ‘sleep-at-work’ mentality has drawn criticism, particularly from those concerned about workplace culture and employee welfare.
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Back in 2018, Musk admitted to sleeping on Tesla’s factory floor during production crunches because he didn’t have time to go home and shower. Reports later surfaced of employees following suit, with some even resting on production lines to meet demanding deadlines.
Now, the same work culture appears to be emerging at DOGE. Some government employees have expressed concerns that Musk’s extreme work ethic could set unrealistic expectations, leading to burnout and declining morale.
A disruptor in washington
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Musk’s presence in Washington is shaking up the system. His leadership at DOGE represents a radical departure from conventional government operations, and his influence is already being felt in areas ranging from fiscal policy to workplace culture.
But whether Musk’s cost-cutting measures will bring about long-term improvements—or simply create more disruption—remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Washington, DC, has never seen a government official quite like Elon Musk.
