Elon Musk has officially left the Trump administration following a high-profile stint at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an experimental White House initiative aimed at aggressively cutting federal spending and workforce size.
His exit, confirmed Wednesday via his platform X, came shortly after he publicly criticized President Trump’s proposed budget bill, calling it fiscally irresponsible and contrary to the reforms DOGE was built to implement.
From Spending Reformer to Budget Opponent
“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,” Musk wrote. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time.”
DOGE, created to streamline federal operations and eliminate inefficiencies, oversaw controversial layoffs and budget restructuring. Musk’s involvement, while limited by federal law to 130 working days annually, positioned him at the center of the Trump administration’s downsizing efforts. His departure reflects growing ideological rifts within the administration.
Musk Refocuses on Business, Distances From Politics
The billionaire has recently expressed regret over his time in Washington, vowing to reduce his involvement in politics. “I spent too much time on politics this year,” he said, adding he would scale back campaign donations after contributing nearly $300 million to Trump-aligned efforts.
He’s returned to hands-on leadership at Tesla and SpaceX, reportedly sleeping on-site at factories. That pivot has reassured investors—Tesla stock rebounded as Musk stepped away from his government role. However, the backlash related to DOGE remains strong, with activist protests and calls for boycotts continuing to target companies led by Musk.