Elon Musk Departs Trump Administration, Leaving DOGE Legacy

30th May 2025 at 8:32 AM

2 minutes read

Washington — Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has concluded his tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force established to curb federal spending, as announced in a statement on X. Musk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for the opportunity to tackle wasteful expenditure, emphasizing that the DOGE mission will persist. “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk wrote, adding that the initiative’s principles would endure within government operations.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.

The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025

Musk’s exit follows his public criticism of Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” a sprawling legislative package combining tax cuts and immigration enforcement measures. In an interview , Musk described the bill as a “massive spending bill” that he believes undermines DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts by increasing the federal deficit. “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both,” he told journalist David Pogue.

Despite Musk’s departure, a White House official confirmed that he remains on amicable terms with Trump. The official noted that Musk’s role was always intended to be temporary, spanning 130 days from Trump’s inauguration on January 20. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump and his Cabinet will now lead DOGE’s ongoing efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in federal operations.

Musk’s time at DOGE was marked by significant upheaval, including widespread layoffs and the termination of numerous government contracts. The initiative faced backlash, with reports of protests and vandalism targeting Musk’s Tesla brand. Federal unions and 14 states have also initiated lawsuits, alleging that DOGE’s actions violated transparency and hiring regulations.

In response to Musk’s exit, Republican figures praised his contributions. House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted DOGE’s work in exposing inefficiencies, such as identifying over 12 million Social Security recipients listed as over 120 years old. Representative Pat Harrigan of North Carolina commended Musk’s efforts to challenge Washington’s entrenched bureaucracy, expressing hope that DOGE’s impact would lead to lasting reform.

As Musk steps away from his government role, he is expected to refocus on his businesses, including Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. Trump, speaking at a press conference, acknowledged Musk’s departure but emphasized their continued relationship, stating, “He will always be with us.”