Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration After Tumultuous Term

• Musk’s exit will commence tonight, according to a White House spokesperson.
• His departure was swift and without any fanfare.
• This follows his critique of Trump’s flagship tax legislation just a day prior.

WASHINGTON: Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, is stepping down from the Trump administration after a turbulent stint aimed at improving government efficiency. His efforts led to upheavals in several federal agencies; however, he was unable to achieve the substantial savings he aimed for.

A White House official confirmed to Reuters late Wednesday that Musk’s “off-boarding will begin tonight.” Earlier that same day, he had expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump on his social media platform X, indicating the conclusion of his role as a special government employee in the Department of Government Efficiency.

His exit was described as quick and unceremonious. There was reportedly no formal discussion with Trump before his announcement, with sources indicating that Musk’s departure had been decided at a high staff level.

While the specific reasons for his resignation remain unclear, it comes just a day after he publicly criticized Trump’s prominent tax reform, labeling it too costly and detrimental to the initiatives he championed with the U.S. DOGE Service.

Certain senior officials within the White House, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, were particularly displeased by Musk’s remarks. This discord prompted the White House to contact Republican senators to reaffirm Trump’s support for the tax package, according to insider information.

Although Musk has maintained a close relationship with the president, his standing has gradually diminished over time.

Post-Trump’s inauguration, Musk quickly became an influential figure within Trump’s circle, gaining attention for his bold and unconventional approach. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, he famously wielded a red metallic chainsaw, joking, “This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy,” which earned him cheers from the crowd.

On the campaign trail, Musk had boldly claimed that DOGE could help slash at least $2 trillion from federal expenditures. He openly expressed disdain for federal employees and predicted that ending “Covid-era privileges” like telecommuting would lead to a wave of voluntary resignations, which he welcomed.

However, some cabinet members who initially resonated with Musk’s outsider mentality grew wary of his methods. Over time, they gained confidence in pushing back against his proposed job cuts, with Trump’s reminder in early March that staffing decisions were ultimately the purview of department secretaries, not Musk.

Musk’s confrontations with Trump’s senior cabinet members, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, were notable. He bluntly referred to Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, as a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks,” to which Navarro responded that he has received worse insults.

As time went on, Musk hinted that his government role was nearing its end, often expressing frustration over his inability to enact more aggressive spending cuts.

During an April 22 conference call with Tesla investors, he indicated plans to significantly reduce his governmental responsibilities to focus on his business endeavors.

The DOGE Mission Continues

Musk’s 130-day tenure as a special government employee was slated to conclude around May 30. The administration has stated that efforts within DOGE to restructure and downsize the federal government will persist.

“The DOGE mission will only grow stronger over time as it becomes integral to government operations,” Musk declared.

Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has achieved nearly a 12% reduction in the federal civilian workforce, amounting to about 260,000 positions out of 2.3 million. This success was primarily accomplished through threats of dismissals, buyouts, and early retirement offers, according to a Reuters evaluation of personnel departures.

Recently, Musk criticized the financial implications of the Republicans’ tax and budget proposals circulating in Congress.

“I was disappointed to see such a substantial spending bill, which not only increases the budget deficit but undermines the efforts of the DOGE team,” he told CBS News.

His political engagements have sparked protests, with some investors urging him to focus more on his role at Tesla, which has witnessed declining sales and stock prices.

Musk, who is currently the world’s richest individual, has defended his position as an unelected official granted unusual authority by Trump to revise elements of the U.S. government.

Having invested nearly $300 million to support Trump’s campaign and other Republican initiatives last year, he recently announced that he would significantly scale back his political contributions.

“I believe I’ve contributed enough,” Musk stated at an economic forum in Qatar.