Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak slams Elon Musk’s DOGE role: ‘I don’t like that at all’

Elon Musk may be the mastermind behind Tesla, SpaceX, and the recently rebranded X (formerly Twitter), but his latest foray into politics is drawing sharp criticism — and not from just anyone. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has taken aim at the billionaire's rising influence in Donald Trump’s administration, particularly his leadership role in DOGE — the Department of Government Spending.

Wozniak, revered as a tech pioneer alongside Steve Jobs, didn’t mince words while addressing hundreds of attendees at Barcelona's Talent Arena developers fair on March 4. The 74-year-old tech legend voiced his discomfort with tech moguls like Musk dabbling in politics, warning that the skills for running companies don’t necessarily translate to public governance.

'Tech and Politics Don't Mix'

According to a report from UNILAD, Wozniak acknowledged that major corporations inevitably have political interests, but the prospect of a tech billionaire steering government decisions made him uneasy.


“Technology companies are huge... they have to have some political involvement,” Wozniak admitted. “But actually taking a direct role because they've made it big in technology — I don't like that at all.”

Without mentioning Musk by name, Wozniak criticized the Tesla CEO’s uncompromising leadership style, adding, “When you run a business, you look around and seek consensus. I don't see that happening in the case of Elon Musk... You don't just say everything is out and start fresh.”

Musk's DOGE Reign Sparks Controversy

Since taking the helm of DOGE — an advisory body set up by Trump to overhaul government spending — Musk has wasted no time shaking up Washington’s bureaucratic structures.

His most controversial move yet? An email blast to all federal staff demanding they list five completed tasks from the past week or risk being fired. Employees who failed to respond by midnight were warned their silence would be treated as a resignation.

Musk later defended the email on Twitter, writing: "This was basically a check to see if the employee had a pulse and was capable of replying to an email."

His no-nonsense approach has divided public opinion, with some hailing his tough stance on inefficiency while others — including Wozniak — see it as a dangerous blending of corporate ruthlessness with public service.

The Future of Tech in Politics

While Musk’s rise in politics is undeniably headline-worthy, Wozniak’s concerns tap into a broader debate: Should tech billionaires hold sway over democratic institutions?

With Musk's influence growing both in Silicon Valley and Washington, it remains to be seen whether his brand of disruption will usher in reform — or leave the political landscape as polarizing as ever.

One thing’s for certain: the battle between tech titans isn’t just about gadgets anymore — it's about who gets to shape the future of society.