Elon Musk’s 100 Days at DOGE: Sleeping, Playing Games, and Enjoying Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream

In an unexpected twist of fate, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a tech mogul whose ventures range from Tesla to SpaceX, has spent the past 100 days in a unique and somewhat surreal role at the heart of U.S. government policy. As a volunteer leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk’s position has given him unprecedented access to the inner workings of the White House and the corridors of power.

His tenure has been marked by both his accomplishments in slashing government spending and a few quirky moments of self-reflection, all while indulging in ice cream and video games.

Musk’s time in Washington, D.C. started with the lofty goal of trimming the federal government’s budget and reducing the size of its workforce. His mission was to bring an end to wasteful spending, a task which many believed would be both highly beneficial and controversial in equal measure.

Reflecting on the last 100 days of his effort, Musk seemed almost bemused at how he had landed in such an influential yet unconventional position. “How did we get here?” he joked to reporters before continuing his remarks on the dogged work of DOGE.

Despite his unconventional role, Musk’s impact has been undeniable. While critics have cast doubt on some of his claims, such as his assertion that DOGE has saved the government $160 billion (a figure that has yet to be substantiated), there is no denying that his influence has reverberated across federal agencies.

Musk has defended his controversial decisions, including cutting federal employees, scrutinizing agency spending, and investigating fraudulent government programs. He even claimed to have thwarted identity theft attempts, blocking fraudulent loans intended for toddlers under the guise of Small Business Administration applications.

However, Musk’s departure from his full-time commitment to DOGE has not come as a surprise. His role, initially intended to be a seven-day-a-week endeavor, is now expected to transition into a lighter workload, with Musk dedicating just a couple of days per week to his government duties.

This shift will allow the billionaire to refocus on his core businesses, including Tesla, which has been undergoing significant leadership scrutiny. Tesla’s board of directors recently initiated a search for a new CEO to take over the electric-car company, although Musk quickly dismissed these rumors, labeling them as "absolutely false."

Nevertheless, despite stepping back from his day-to-day operations at DOGE, Musk remains a central figure within the White House. President Donald Trump has made it clear that Musk is welcome to stay in his role for as long as he wishes, reinforcing their mutually beneficial relationship. “You’re invited to stay as long as you want,” Trump remarked during a cabinet meeting.

This ongoing invitation underscores the unique bond between the two men, with Musk continuing to enjoy extraordinary access to the White House’s most exclusive quarters.

Even Musk himself acknowledged the peculiarity of his situation, particularly in his “micro-office” located in the West Wing. Describing his office as having "a view of nothing," Musk jokingly explained that the lack of a proper view was, in some ways, a protective measure. “It’s harder to shoot me,” he quipped, referencing the HVAC unit outside his office window, which provided an unusual but practical kind of cover.

Musk’s time at the White House has also given him a taste of presidential luxury. During his brief tenure, Musk has stayed overnight in the historic Lincoln Bedroom at the president's request, a perk that few would have expected for someone in his position.

Musk explained that Trump’s casual offers to stay in the Presidential residence were part of the odd, sometimes whimsical nature of his role. 

"We’ll be on Air Force One or Marine One, and he’s like, ‘Hey, do you want to stay over?’ I’m like, ‘Sure,’ and he sends me to the Lincoln Bedroom,” Musk recalled. "I haven’t requested it – to be clear."

In a more casual and perhaps revealing moment, Musk even shared how he had indulged in the White House’s ice cream offerings. “I ate a tub of Haagen-Dazs,” Musk admitted, adding that it was the rich caramel variety that he had taken from the White House freezer. He cheekily warned, “Don’t tell RFK,” referring to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the president’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is known for his more stringent views on food and health.

Despite the apparent oddity of his situation, Musk’s impact on the White House and government efficiency cannot be dismissed. His initial role, which began as a volunteer position, now seems to be transitioning into something more permanent but less demanding.

With an already immense amount of responsibilities tied to Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has made it clear that his time in Washington will now be measured in days rather than weeks. His unique position, blending business with government service, has undoubtedly made waves, both in terms of policy and his highly public persona.

Reflecting on the name “DOGE” — now embedded in the House and Senate caucuses — Musk mused about the absurdity of the whole situation. Originally launched as a meme coin, DOGE has become a symbol of Musk’s unorthodox style.

"Doesn’t it seem absurd?" Musk asked reporters, echoing the sentiment that the world might be living in some kind of “simulation,” where meme coins and billionaires lead governmental reforms.

But for Musk, this peculiar chapter may soon be coming to an end, or at least transitioning to a lighter load. The time he’s spent in Washington, while whimsical at times, has undoubtedly left an imprint on the government and its operations.

As Musk continues to balance his role in DOGE with his empire of businesses, it remains to be seen whether his government service will have lasting effects on U.S. policy or whether it will fade into the absurdity that Musk himself so often alludes to.

With his future now taking on a different direction, one can only imagine how the world’s richest man will continue to navigate the increasingly blurred lines between business, government, and personal indulgence. As for the legacy of DOGE, it remains to be seen whether the cost-cutting efforts will lead to long-term savings for the American taxpayer, or whether Musk's time in the White House will be remembered for more eccentricities than efficiencies.

Either way, the first 100 days have been undeniably memorable, setting the stage for whatever comes next in this unexpected chapter of Elon Musk’s storied career.