Elon Musk steps down from Trump administration role at DOGE

Musk concludes role as special government employee

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced the end of his tenure with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal task force aimed at reducing government expenditure. Musk, who played a pivotal role in the agency’s operations since early 2025, confirmed his departure in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter).

Musk served as a Special Government Employee, a designation that permits individuals to contribute to government operations for up to 130 days annually. Given President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Musk’s term was set to expire by the end of May.

Musk expresses gratitude and optimism

In his farewell message, Musk thanked President Trump for the opportunity to contribute to efforts to eliminate wasteful government spending. He expressed confidence in the future of DOGE, stating that the agency’s work would continue to strengthen and instill a culture of cost-efficiency across federal departments.

“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk posted. “I believe this agency will only strengthen over time.”

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

Criticism of Trump’s signature legislation

Musk’s exit follows his public criticism of a major legislative proposal by the Trump administration, referred to by the President as the “big beautiful bill.” The bill combines tax cuts with tougher immigration enforcement measures. However, Musk labeled it a “massive spending bill” during a CBS interview, arguing it would increase the federal deficit and undermine DOGE’s cost-cutting mission.

“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” Musk remarked. “But I don’t know if it could be both.”

In response, President Trump acknowledged some concerns with the bill but reiterated his overall support, stating, “I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it.”

Shift back to Tesla amid controversy

Musk’s involvement in the federal agency was met with backlash, particularly among critics of his alignment with the Trump administration. His political engagement sparked global protests and led to calls for Tesla boycotts in several markets. Additionally, Tesla’s first-quarter performance revealed a notable decline in both profits and sales, raising questions about Musk’s divided focus.

Some investors voiced concern that his government role may have detracted from his leadership at Tesla. Musk’s departure from DOGE may signal a renewed focus on steering the company amid growing competition and operational challenges.

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