Elon Musk sparked widespread discussion after appearing on a recent podcast hosted by Katie Miller, where he spoke candidly about government waste, artificial intelligence, immigration, and humanity’s future in space. The episode quickly went viral, crossing one million views shortly after its release, as Musk shared behind-the-scenes insights and personal reflections rarely discussed in public.
DOGE Audits, “Zombie Payments,” and Government Waste
During the podcast, Musk revisited his short-lived role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the Trump administration. According to Musk, internal audits uncovered what he described as “zombie payments” — government funds continuing to flow without clear purpose or oversight — totaling an estimated $100 billion to $200 billion per year.
Musk explained that DOGE was created to reduce wasteful government spending, but the effort faced intense resistance from within the system. While he acknowledged some success in stopping unnecessary funding, he made it clear the experience was exhausting. Musk said he has little interest in repeating such a role, adding that he would rather devote his time and energy to his companies, where he believes he can make a greater impact.
AI, Immigration, and Humanity’s Future on Mars
The conversation also shifted to immigration and economic pressure, with Musk criticizing what he sees as inadequate border controls. He linked these challenges to rapid advances in automation, warning that artificial intelligence and robotics could displace large segments of the workforce. To address this, Musk stressed the importance of large-scale retraining programs to help workers adapt to an AI-driven economy.
Musk shared ongoing concerns about AI’s impact on employment, while also discussing xAI’s mission to develop artificial general intelligence responsibly. Looking beyond Earth, he reiterated SpaceX’s long-term goal of colonizing Mars, framing it as a vital step in ensuring humanity’s survival. According to Musk, becoming a multi-planetary species is not just a technological ambition, but a necessity for the future of civilization.
Overall, the podcast offered a wide-ranging look at Musk’s views on government efficiency, emerging technology, and humanity’s long-term prospects — themes that continue to fuel global debate and online engagement.
