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Elon Musk has stepped down from his role as a Special Government Employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), concluding his 130-day tenure aimed at slashing federal spending.
He announced his departure on X, thanking President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, stating, “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
Musk expressed disappointment with Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” criticizing it in a CBS interview for increasing the federal deficit and undermining DOGE’s efforts, saying, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both.”
He noted the bill’s projected $3.8 trillion deficit increase over a decade, which conflicted with DOGE’s goal of cutting $1-2 trillion in federal spending. Musk is now returning to focus on his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, citing their need for his attention after Tesla’s profits dropped 71% in Q1 2025. During his time with DOGE, Musk’s initiatives led to significant layoffs and agency cuts, though legal challenges and limited savings of $160-175 billion fell short of expectations.
Some critics argue DOGE’s efforts caused chaos without achieving enough, yet certain supporters, particularly among Republicans, hope Musk will return to politics. They believe he could run for office or take a more permanent administrative role to continue his push for government efficiency.
Despite his exit, Musk’s allies embedded in federal agencies may sustain DOGE’s influence, though he plans to reduce his political involvement, stating, “I think I’ve done enough.” His departure has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising his efforts to curb bureaucracy while others question the effectiveness of DOGE’s actions.
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