Sign in

Elon Musk calls for complete elimination of govt agencies: 'Remove the roots of the weed'

Elon Musk said that US President Donald Trump is “less interested in interfering with the affairs of other countries.”

Updated on: Feb 13, 2025, 20:19:24 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

US special government employee Elon Musk has called for the complete elimination of federal agencies as part of a push to radically cut spending under Trump's presidency.

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Bloomberg)
Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Bloomberg)

In a video interaction at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Musk offered a wide-ranging survey of the Trump administration's priorities, interspersed with multiple references to “thermonuclear warfare” and the possible dangers of artificial intelligence.

He also jokingly called himself “the White House’s tech support” and wore a black T-shirt that read “Tech Support.”

“We have here the rule of the bureaucracy as opposed to the rule of the people — democracy,” Musk said. “I think we do need to delete entire agencies as opposed to leaving a lot of them behind. If we don’t remove the roots of the weed, then it’s easy for the weed to grow back.”

He also referred to Trump's dismantling of the US Agency for International Development.

Also Read | Elon Musk's X to pay $10 million to settle Donald Trump lawsuit | Details

“A lot of attention has been on USAID for example,” Musk said. “There's like the National Endowment for Democracy. But I’m like, ‘Okay, well, how much democracy have they achieved lately?’”

America should mint its own business

In his video interaction, Musk also said that US President Donald Trump is “less interested in interfering with the affairs of other countries.”

Musk told the audience in the UAE that there have been times when the United States has been “kind of pushy in international affairs”, adding that it may resonate with some members of the audience.

Also Read | Elon Musk's net worth falls below $400 billion for the first time in 2025 as Tesla shares slump

"America should mind its own business, rather than push for regime change all over the place,” he said.

Since taking charge of the Department of Government Efficiency, the Tesla boss has played a key role in sidelining career officials, gaining access to sensitive databases, and testing the boundaries of presidential authority.

His involvement has fueled a constitutional debate over the extent of executive power.

  • HT News Desk
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    HT News Desk

    Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.