Elon Musk has formally left his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ending a turbulent tenure marked by sharp clashes and ambitious efforts to reduce federal spending.
His departure comes shortly after he publicly criticised President Trump’s flagship tax and spending bill, highlighting growing tensions within the administration.
The billionaire entrepreneur, who was appointed as a special government employee to lead cost-cutting initiatives, acknowledged the challenges of reforming the federal bureaucracy. His exit signals a shift back towards focusing on his business ventures after months of controversy and operational hurdles in Washington.
Challenges and Impact of Musk’s Government Role
Elon Musk’s time in the Trump administration was characterised by an aggressive push to streamline federal agencies and cut government jobs. According to reports, his Department of Government Efficiency aimed to reduce federal spending by initially targeting $2 trillion, a figure Musk later revised down to $150 billion amid resistance.
The effort resulted in the removal of approximately 260,000 federal civilian workers, equating to nearly 12% of the workforce.
However, Musk encountered significant pushback from senior cabinet members and entrenched bureaucratic obstacles. Several federal courts intervened to block mass firings, while some cuts led to operational disruptions, such as purchasing bottlenecks and loss of scientific expertise.
Musk himself admitted to The Washington Post that “the federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised” and described the task as “an uphill battle.”
His combative style also provoked tensions within the administration. Musk publicly insulted officials such as trade adviser Peter Navarro and clashed privately with cabinet members including the Secretaries of State, Transportation, and Treasury.
While initially embraced as an outsider bringing fresh energy, some officials grew wary of his approach and reasserted control over departmental decisions.
Departure and Political Repercussions
Musk’s departure was announced on his social media platform X and confirmed by the White House, with off-boarding beginning in late May.
His decision followed a public break with President Trump over the administration’s “big beautiful bill,” a multi-trillion-dollar tax and spending package. Musk criticised the legislation as “too expensive” and said it “undermines the work” of DOGE, marking a rare public disagreement with the president.
The White House sought to downplay the division, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller emphasising the bill’s broader political context and rules surrounding spending cuts. Meanwhile, some Republican senators echoed Musk’s concerns about the bill’s impact on the deficit, illustrating divisions within the party.
Musk’s exit also coincides with growing scrutiny of his political involvement, as he has spent nearly $300 million backing Trump and other Republicans but recently announced plans to reduce his political spending. The billionaire has indicated he will refocus on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, as his government role concludes.
Despite the controversies and challenges, Musk expressed confidence that the DOGE mission would continue and “only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” according to his statement on X.
The administration is expected to maintain some of the reforms initiated during his tenure while navigating ongoing political and bureaucratic complexities.
