WASHINGTON, May 29 (Alliance News): Elon Musk, billionaire CEO of Tesla, has abruptly stepped down from his role in the Trump administration after spearheading a controversial government efficiency campaign that ultimately fell short of its ambitious targets.
A White House official confirmed to Reuters late Wednesday that Musk’s “off-boarding will begin tonight,” ending his 130-day tenure as a special government employee overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk himself acknowledged the departure on his social media platform X, thanking President Donald Trump for the opportunity.
Musk’s exit came without a formal conversation with Trump and was reportedly decided at a senior staff level. His resignation followed closely on the heels of public criticism he leveled against Trump’s flagship tax legislation, calling it “too expensive” and claiming it undercut DOGE’s objectives.
The remarks reportedly angered senior White House figures, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
Once one of the most influential outsiders in the Trump administration, Musk’s confrontational style and sweeping proposals to slash federal spending and workforce made him both a political lightning rod and a conservative cult figure.
At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, Musk theatrically unveiled a red chainsaw, promising to “cut through bureaucracy.”
He had claimed that DOGE would reduce federal spending by at least $2 trillion and sought to end widespread telework policies, predicting it would result in mass resignations.
Although the administration managed to shrink the federal civilian workforce by nearly 12% — about 260,000 employees — many of Musk’s proposed cuts were blocked or scaled back by cabinet secretaries asserting their authority after Trump reminded them staffing decisions were theirs alone.
Musk’s relationships with top administration officials deteriorated over time. He clashed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He also famously called Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.”
His departure marks the end of a chaotic yet influential chapter in Trump’s second term. In a Tesla earnings call last month, Musk hinted at scaling back his government involvement to refocus on his business empire, which has recently seen declining sales and a dip in stock value.
Despite stepping down, Musk vowed that the DOGE initiative would continue. “The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he said.
Musk’s time in Washington drew widespread protests and criticism, especially after revelations he spent nearly $300 million supporting Trump and Republican candidates during the 2024 election cycle. Earlier this month, he said he would substantially reduce his political donations going forward.
