Elon Musk exits Trump administration amid controversy
Elon Musk has officially ended his role within the Trump administration, concluding a controversial chapter in which the billionaire entrepreneur helped lead efforts to streamline the US government and reduce federal spending.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Musk thanked US President Donald Trump for the opportunity to work in government, stating:
“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.”
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.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025
The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.
Musk served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency—known colloquially as “Doge”—a Trump-created office tasked with slashing bureaucracy and cutting costs. His designation as a “special government employee” allowed him to work up to 130 days per year in the role.
His exit was confirmed late Wednesday, according to reports, though it had been widely anticipated as Musk approached the end of his permitted service days. However, the timing came just one day after he publicly criticized Trump’s proposed budget bill, which includes large tax cuts and a boost to defense spending—prompting speculation about the nature of his departure.
Trump also acknowledged Musk’s departure in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing:
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will always be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific!”
Musk’s tenure in the administration sparked significant debate. While some praised his bold ideas to reduce government waste, others condemned his aggressive job-cutting policies, which led to the elimination of thousands of federal positions. The backlash included calls to boycott Tesla products and several incidents of vandalism targeting the company’s properties.
In an April earnings call, Musk told Tesla investors he would be scaling back his government involvement to refocus on his private ventures, responding to mounting pressure from shareholders concerned about his divided attention.
Although his official role has now ended, both Trump and Musk hinted that the billionaire may continue to support government initiatives in an informal capacity. Whether his influence will persist, publicly or behind the scenes, remains to be seen.
