Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of social media platform X, has officially stepped down from his advisory role in the Trump administration, marking a significant departure from the government. The world’s richest person quietly resigned from his position as head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) without informing President Trump, sources within the White House have confirmed.
Musk had agreed to serve as a special government employee for a fixed term of 130 days, a period that was set to conclude on May 30. However, frustrated with the Trump administration’s direction, Musk ended his involvement two days early, delivering a major blow to the administration.
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Earlier, Musk expressed dissatisfaction with a large government bill recently passed under President Trump’s leadership. He commented that while a bill can be either large or well-crafted, it rarely possesses both qualities simultaneously. Musk was particularly concerned about certain provisions within the legislation, which he believed would increase federal deficits and undermine his department’s efforts to reduce wasteful spending.
In a statement posted on X, Musk said, “My time as a special government employee has come to an end. I am grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to help reduce unnecessary expenditures. The mission to improve government efficiency will only grow stronger with time.”
The Trump administration’s recent legislative efforts include tax cuts and stricter immigration laws. Musk criticized the bill for its excessive spending, arguing that it contradicted the objectives of the Department of Government Efficiency.
According to media reports, the Trump administration has cut approximately 260,000 federal employees, around 12% of the total 2.3 million federal workforce. Musk’s political involvement faced criticism from some investors who urged him to focus more on Tesla. Despite this, Musk has consistently defended his actions at DOGE, acknowledging that he also needs to reduce his political expenditures.
Upon taking charge of the department, Musk admitted that the federal bureaucracy’s condition was far worse than he had initially anticipated. He likened efforts to improve Washington, D.C. operations to waging a difficult battle.
It is important to note that Musk served as a special government employee without receiving a salary. White House officials stated that while Musk oversaw DOGE affairs, he was not a formal government employee.
Despite stepping down, Musk has long been an outspoken supporter of President Trump. At one point, he publicly stated that his admiration for Trump had grown over time, even going as far as to say he loved the president.
Unlike typical government officials, Musk’s approach has always been unconventional. He was known to bring his young son to the Oval Office on occasion. Once, his son humorously wiped his nose on the Oval Office’s historic Resolute Desk—an act that led to the desk’s immediate replacement by President Trump.
The Resolute Desk, crafted from English oak salvaged from the HMS Resolute, was gifted to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880 as a symbol of goodwill and friendship. The desk has been used by many U.S. presidents, including Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford, and was moved to the Oval Office under President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
Elon Musk’s resignation marks a key turning point for the Trump administration as it faces ongoing challenges in implementing its agenda and managing internal reforms.
