Billionaire Elon Musk exits US government role officially. His departure follows a public disagreement with President Donald Trump over a controversial spending bill.
On his social platform X, Musk announced the end of his tenure as a Special Government Employee. He thanked Trump for the opportunity but criticized the bill for increasing federal spending.
“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.
DOGE Mission Becomes a Casualty of Political Tensions
Musk had been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force created to cut unnecessary federal spending. The DOGE mission eliminated tens of thousands of jobs in a bid to shrink the bureaucracy.
However, Musk argued that Trump’s new legislation undermined this work.
“The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he added.
Musk Criticizes Trump’s “Big, Beautiful” Spending Bill
In an interview with CBS News, Musk voiced concern over Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” The bill, which recently passed the House, includes massive tax cuts and spending changes. Critics say it could increase the national deficit by $4 trillion over ten years.
“A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both,” Musk said.
Musk believes the bill contradicts DOGE’s goals by boosting spending instead of reducing it.
White House Downplays Disagreement
While Musk’s criticism grabbed headlines, the White House downplayed the split. Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stated on X that DOGE-related cuts must go through separate legislation, in accordance with Senate rules.
DOGE Team Faces Growing Criticism
Musk had already begun stepping back from DOGE operations in April to focus on Tesla and SpaceX. He noted that the agency had become a scapegoat for broader frustrations with the Trump administration.
“DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,” Musk told the Washington Post.
Musk blamed the failure of DOGE’s larger goals on deep-rooted bureaucracy in Washington. However, insiders pointed to Musk’s management style and lack of political experience as contributing factors.
Fallout Hits Musk’s Business Ventures
As public anger over job cuts grew, Tesla faced backlash. Protesters targeted dealerships, and several Tesla vehicles were torched. These incidents contributed to a decline in Tesla’s profits.
“People were burning Teslas. Why would you do that? That’s really uncool,” Musk said.
Meanwhile, SpaceX also faced setbacks. Its Starship prototype exploded over the Indian Ocean, dealing another blow to Musk’s Mars colonization plans.
Musk Steps Back from Political Funding
Following his exit, Musk revealed he will scale back political donations. He had contributed around $250 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign, making him the largest donor.
Conclusion: A Rare Break Between Two Powerhouses
Elon Musk’s departure marks a rare split with Trump, a figure he helped re-elect. His frustration with federal inefficiency and political backlash seems to have prompted a retreat from Washington. Despite the setback, Musk insists that the DOGE mission will live on—even as he refocuses on his business empires.
