- Elon Musk departs from DOGE, ending his short-lived role to cut federal waste.
- His departure follows public criticism of Trump’s budget plans and legal issues.
- During his stay at DOGE, Musk reduced the government workforce by roughly 12%.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk announced his departure from the Trump administration, where he led efforts to reduce federal spending. Musk thanked President Donald Trump for the opportunity, writing on X, “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’s exit follows his first public criticism of Trump’s spending plan, which he described as worsening the budget imbalance. According to sources, Musk said, “A bill may be large or exquisite in appearance. However, I’m not sure if it can be both. My own view.” Additionally, Musk recently shared his intention to reduce his political involvement, stating that he spent “too much time” on politics this year. His backing of Trump and the Republican Party in 2024 included at least $277 million in contributions.
Role in the White House DOGE Office and Controversies
Musk played a key role in the White House DOGE office, which focuses on cutting government waste and fraud. According to Musk, DOGE has saved taxpayers $175 billion since Trump’s return to the White House. However, multiple news outlets dispute this figure, citing errors and overstatements. The project’s claimed savings represent only 8.5% of Musk’s original goal to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, which was later lowered to $150 billion.
Through layoffs, buyouts, and early retirements, DOGE reduced its workforce by approximately 260,000 employees, roughly 12% of the 2.3 million federal workforce. Musk stated that he worked “seven days a week, or close to seven days a week” during his first 100 days with the Trump administration’s DOGE office.
Related: OpenAI Countersues Elon Musk Over Harassment Allegations
Despite legal challenges, Musk said on X that DOGE’s mission would “only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” Several lawsuits in the U.S. allege Musk violated federal laws while leading DOGE, increasing his legal risks. Pension fund executives also urged Tesla’s board to require Musk to work at least 40 hours weekly at Tesla to receive future CEO pay.
