Elon Musk touts DOGE's 120-hour workweek vs US bureaucracy: 'Losing so fast'

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 2, 2025 15:08 IST

Billionaire Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under US President Donald Trump, defended his agency’s work ethic on Sunday, touting its relentless pace compared to traditional bureaucrats.

"DOGE is working 120 hours a week. Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week. That is why they are losing so fast," Musk wrote on X.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO was responding to an X user who praised DOGE’s efforts, claiming the agency had uncovered “massive waste, fraud, and abuse of our tax dollars... in the first two weeks”.

The user added, “Decades of grifting and stealing are coming to an end — finally!”

Musk, who was appointed by Trump to lead DOGE, has positioned the agency as a disruptive force in Washington, aiming to root out inefficiency and corruption in government spending.

Since its inception, DOGE has undertaken sweeping audits and pushed for deep budget cuts across federal agencies.

However, the agency’s aggressive approach has drawn controversy. Critics argue that its methods are politically motivated and risk undermining essential government services.

Labour unions and watchdog groups have also raised concerns about workplace conditions, with some alleging that DOGE employees face unrealistic expectations and burnout.

Musk has dismissed such concerns. Over the weekend, he suggested that DOGE’s tireless work ethic gives it an advantage over entrenched bureaucrats.

"Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it’s like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days," the SpaceX CEO wrote. "Working the weekend is a superpower."

Despite its ambitious goals, DOGE has faced controversy. Critics argue that its efforts to dismantle government bureaucracy and slash regulations could lead to major structural changes without adequate oversight.

The department's approach has been likened to "The Manhattan Project" of its time, aiming to drive large-scale structural reform by partnering with the White House and the Office of Management & Budget.

DOGE's work is set to conclude by July 4, 2026, aligning with Trump's vision of a smaller, more efficient government by the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

However, Congressional Democrats have vowed to scrutinise DOGE’s actions, with some calling for oversight hearings to review its conduct.