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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is leaving his role in the Trump administration after a turbulent 130-day stint as a special government employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His departure was confirmed late Wednesday by a White House official, bringing to a close a period marked by dramatic proposals, high-profile clashes, and limited policy success.
Musk’s “off-boarding will begin tonight,” the official told Reuters. He did not hold a formal meeting with President Donald Trump before his exit was made public.
Thanking Trump, But Criticizing GOP Tax Bill
Earlier on Wednesday, Musk took to his platform X (formerly Twitter) to thank President Trump for the opportunity to serve. However, his departure came just a day after publicly criticizing Trump’s flagship tax bill, describing it as “too expensive” and a threat to the DOGE mission of budgetary reform.
The criticism reportedly irritated senior White House figures, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and prompted a round of calls to reassure Republican lawmakers of Trump’s continued support for the legislation.
Musk’s Mission: A Chainsaw for Bureaucracy
Musk entered government with a vision of radical reform, pledging to cut $2 trillion in federal spending and reduce the size of the civil service. He quickly became a Trump-era symbol of disruption, famously wielding a red metallic “chainsaw for bureaucracy” at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February to raucous applause.
He targeted telework privileges introduced during the COVID-19 era, claiming their revocation would trigger “a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome.”
Clashes Within the Administration
Despite early enthusiasm from some cabinet officials, Musk’s tactics eventually triggered resistance. Sources say several senior cabinet members became increasingly uncomfortable with his aggressive approach. Trump himself reminded agency heads in March that final hiring and firing decisions rested with department secretaries, not Musk.
Musk clashed with key cabinet figures, including:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
He also called Trade Adviser Peter Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” Navarro dismissed the insult, telling reporters: “I’ve been called worse.”
Mounting Pressure and a Quiet Exit
Musk had been signaling his withdrawal for weeks. On an April 22 Tesla earnings call, he said he would scale back his government role to refocus on his businesses. The final straw appeared to be his criticism of the Republican tax and budget bill, which he said “increases the deficit and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
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His term was due to end by May 30, but insiders say the decision to cut it short was made at a senior staff level, not by Trump personally.
Mixed Legacy at DOGE
Despite internal tensions, DOGE under Musk claimed some success: a 12% reduction in the federal civilian workforce — around 260,000 employees — primarily through threats of termination, early retirement, and buyouts.
In his farewell message, Musk insisted that DOGE’s mission “will only strengthen over time” and become a cultural shift across government agencies.
Backlash and Investor Pressure
Musk’s political entanglements have drawn public protest and investor concern, particularly as Tesla sales and stock prices continue to decline. Critics have urged him to step back from politics and focus on the company.
Having reportedly spent nearly $300 million supporting Trump’s campaign and Republican causes in 2024, Musk told an economic forum in Qatar earlier this month:
“I think I’ve done enough,”
suggesting he will significantly scale back future political contributions.
