Elon Musk has confirmed he is stepping down from his role as a “special government employee” in the Trump administration, where he led the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His departure, confirmed by the White House, is reportedly part of a standard offboarding process, with no formal discussion between Musk and Trump. Musk expressed gratitude for the opportunity to cut government waste but acknowledged frustrations with resistance from other officials.
During his controversial tenure, Musk aimed to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion, a figure later slashed to just $150 billion. His drastic cuts, particularly in humanitarian areas, drew criticism, and questions remain over whether DOGE’s actions delivered real savings. Musk’s efforts were further complicated by internal clashes and public skepticism about his political aptitude, amplified by comments from his father, Errol Musk.
Musk’s exit coincides with mounting pressure from Tesla investors urging him to focus more on his businesses. Amid criticism over his divided attention, Errol Musk defended his son’s performance, citing Tesla’s strong stock performance. The departure also follows Elon Musk’s public disappointment with a major Trump policy bill, hinting at deeper tensions. Despite stepping down, Musk insists DOGE’s mission to streamline government operations will persist and grow.
