Elon Musk has reiterated his conviction that artificial intelligence and robotics represent the sole mechanism for resolving the United States' mounting national debt. Speaking with biographer Walter Isaacson on the newly launched podcast The Builders, Musk reflected on his experience leading the Department of Government Efficiency, concluding that deficit reduction cannot be achieved through conventional fiscal discipline alone. Axios first reported the conversation on Friday, ahead of the show's Tuesday premiere.
The only way we're going to solve the national debt is with AI and robots. We're not gonna solve it by trying to save our way there.
Elon Musk
The political obstacle
According to Musk, virtually no one occupying positions of authority genuinely prioritizes expenditure reduction. His assessment encompasses the executive branch, both legislative chambers, and the judiciary, with Senator Rand Paul standing as a notable exception. Musk suggested that meaningful cuts would require President Donald Trump to elevate the issue to his paramount concern, though he acknowledged that dismantling wasteful programs inevitably generates political opposition.
President Trump likes to be liked.
Elon Musk
Reflecting on DOGE
Musk acknowledged overextending his involvement with DOGE, spending approximately four months formally engaged with the White House when he believes a shorter duration would have been preferable. He expressed regret about the extended absence from his own enterprises and indicated he should have redirected his attention to artificial intelligence development sooner.
I should have gone back and focused on AI a little sooner than I did.
Elon Musk
When questioned about his chainsaw demonstration at the February 2025 CPAC conference, Musk offered minimal commentary, characterizing the occasion as "a weird weekend". His argument connecting AI and robotics to debt resolution echoes statements he made in December, when he similarly contended that technological advancement represented the only feasible solution to the nation's fiscal challenges.
About the podcast
Kaleidoscope and iHeartPodcasts are producing The Builders, which features conversations with prominent figures including Peter Thiel, Alex Karp, Fei-Fei Li, and Dario and Daniela Amodei of Anthropic. Isaacson characterized Musk as an "amazing engineer" while noting his susceptibility to "darkness and conspiracies" regarding political matters and interpersonal dynamics, according to Axios.
DOGE's Silicon Valley legacy
The department's influence continues to reverberate through the technology sector. Former DOGE personnel have established new ventures, including Special, a firm focused on operational efficiency, and Cathedral, a startup addressing cybersecurity challenges in the defence sector.
Source: The Next Web
