Elon Musk has announced he is leaving his role in the Trump administration. The White House confirmed his departure on Wednesday evening. 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 on social media.
He mentioned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) mission would continue to strengthen over time as it becomes more integrated into government operations. A White House official told Reuters that Musk’s departure was accurate and that his off-boarding would begin on Wednesday night. Musk’s exit was decided at a senior staff level without a formal conversation with Trump, according to a knowledgeable source.
Musk, the world’s richest person, has defended his role, which granted him unprecedented authority to dismantle parts of the US government. His 130-day mandate in the DOGE was set to expire around 30 May. Both Musk and the administration have said DOGE’s efforts to restructure and shrink the federal government will continue.
Musk ends advisory stint
Musk has spent the week in Washington, D.C., while also sharply criticizing Trump’s spending plan. He expressed frustration with the response to DOGE’s efforts and criticized the president’s tax bill, calling it too expensive and a threat to the government’s efficiency.
The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised,” Musk told the Washington Post. “It sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C.”
Musk also cited friction with some cabinet-level officials. It publicly criticized White House trade adviser Peter Navarro for dismissing his push for zero tariffs between the US and the European Union. Musk’s recent political activities have drawn protests, and some investors have urged him to step down from his advisory role and focus on Tesla.
Though he spent nearly $300 million backing Trump’s presidential campaign and other Republicans last year, Musk stated earlier this month he would substantially cut his political spending. “I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said at an economic forum in Qatar. Despite these challenges, Trump and DOGE have managed to cut nearly 12%, or 260,000, of the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce through threats of firings, buyouts, and early retirement offers, according to a Reuters review of agency departures.
Musk’s departure marks a significant shift in his political and business focus, signaling a pivot away from his role in the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul the federal government.
Deanna Ritchie is a managing editor at DevX. She has a degree in English Literature. She has written 2000+ articles on getting out of debt and mastering your finances. She has edited over 60,000 articles in her life. She has a passion for helping writers inspire others through their words. Deanna has also been an editor at Entrepreneur Magazine and ReadWrite.
