AUSTIN, TEXAS — Tech billionaire Elon Musk has given a rare, candid assessment of President Donald Trump, months after stepping away from his role in the administration.
Speaking during his latest appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk offered a measured but surprising take on Trump’s leadership — and on the media’s portrayal of him. His six-word verdict, as he put it plainly: “Trump is not evil, just human.”
The comments came nearly a year after Musk resigned from his position as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative launched during Trump’s first year back in office.
For more than three hours, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO discussed politics, technology, and his own evolving view of Washington — revealing that while he no longer works with the Trump administration, his respect for the president remains intact.
From Ally to Outsider
Musk’s relationship with President Trump has long been one of high-profile cooperation mixed with very public disagreements.
The billionaire entrepreneur was one of Trump’s earliest and most visible supporters in the 2024 campaign, contributing millions toward the effort to “streamline government spending” and restore U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
After Trump’s victory, Musk accepted the president’s offer to lead DOGE, a newly created federal department focused on reducing bureaucratic waste and addressing the nation’s $34 trillion debt.
Their alliance, however, began to fracture by late 2024.
In December, Musk abruptly stepped down from his post, citing what he described as “creative differences” and the need to “focus on core ventures” such as Tesla’s new Gigafactories and SpaceX’s Mars program.
In the months that followed, tensions between the two men played out publicly. Trump reportedly felt “let down” by Musk’s decision to leave DOGE, while Musk appeared to take issue with the administration’s pace of reform.
“I was disappointed by the whole situation,” Musk said at the time. “We had a shared goal — to make government efficient again — but it became clear our approaches were different.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4wBUysNe2k
Feuds, Accusations, and a Reconciliation
The disagreements soon spilled over onto social media.
At one point, Musk hinted — without evidence — that Trump’s name appeared in documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, a claim that drew widespread attention before Musk later retracted it.
Trump, in turn, accused Musk of “ingratitude,” claiming that without his support, the billionaire’s companies “would be paying twice as much in taxes.”
Yet by the fall of 2025, the two men appeared to have mended fences.
In early October, Trump confirmed during a rally that he and Musk were “on good terms again,” saying the two had spoken privately after attending the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“Elon came over and said hello,” Trump told reporters. “It was nice that he came down, and we had a little conversation. We always had a good relationship — we just disagreed on a few things.”
Musk’s Verdict: “Trump Is Not Evil”
During Friday’s podcast episode, host Joe Rogan asked Musk directly about his current relationship with President Trump and whether the media’s portrayal of him was accurate.
Musk didn’t hesitate to respond.
“The media treats him like he’s super evil. It’s pretty shocking,” Musk said. “Trump actually is not perfect, but he’s not evil. He’s a product of his time, but he’s not the monster people make him out to be.”
The entrepreneur’s tone was neither defensive nor dismissive — instead, it was analytical, reflecting a broader criticism of media sensationalism.
“Some people still think Trump is like the devil, basically,” Musk continued. “The coverage of him is exuberant. I think a lot of it comes down to people’s emotional reaction rather than facts.”
Rogan, nodding, agreed. “Yeah, they make him out to be this cartoon villain,” the host said.
Musk replied, “Exactly. The guy is imperfect, like anyone else. But he’s not evil.”
A Strained Relationship with Washington
Musk’s remarks also touched on his broader frustrations with U.S. politics — particularly the Biden administration, which he accused of being “openly hostile” toward his companies after he publicly backed Trump’s 2024 run.
“Biden’s team was not exactly my best friend,” Musk admitted. “Especially after I helped Trump get elected. It became clear pretty fast that wasn’t appreciated.”
He also reiterated his belief that America needs more “technocratic pragmatism” and less “political tribalism.”
“I think most people, if you strip away the partisanship, want efficiency,” he said. “They want systems that work. That’s what DOGE was about — cutting waste, making things simpler.”
The Legacy of DOGE
While Musk’s time at DOGE lasted less than a year, the department’s influence continues to ripple across Washington.
Trump has credited Musk’s early work for inspiring reforms that have since eliminated hundreds of outdated regulations and reduced federal overhead costs by billions.
Still, many insiders believe Musk’s departure slowed the project’s momentum.
A former DOGE staffer told Reuters that “Musk’s vision was ahead of its time,” adding that his exit left “a vacuum that was never fully filled.”
Trump, for his part, has remained publicly supportive of the initiative. “DOGE is one of the best ideas we ever had,” he said earlier this month. “Elon got it started. We’re finishing the job.”
Public Reaction: A Divided Audience
Musk’s comments on Rogan’s show quickly went viral, sparking heated discussion across social media.
Supporters praised his willingness to take a nuanced position in an increasingly polarized climate. Critics accused him of downplaying Trump’s controversies.
Within hours, the phrase “Trump Is Not Evil” was trending on X (formerly Twitter).
“It’s refreshing to hear someone talk about politics without venom,” one user posted.
“This is why Elon should stay out of politics,” another replied.
As of Saturday morning, the clip had been viewed more than 12 million times.
Looking Ahead
Despite stepping back from government work, Musk hinted that his political involvement may not be over.
“If the country needs help again, I’ll help,” he said. “But only if it’s about results — not politics.”
Whether that means a return to a future Trump administration remains unclear. But one thing is certain: Musk’s words have reignited debate about both the man in the Oval Office and the public figures who orbit his world.
As Rogan summed up near the end of the podcast:
“You might not agree with everything Trump does, but the idea that he’s pure evil — that’s lazy thinking. Elon’s right about that.”
For now, Musk’s verdict stands — concise, provocative, and bound to echo in headlines for weeks to come:
“Trump is not evil. Just human.”
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
