Elon-Musk-Quits-Trump’s-DOGE-Initiative-After-Slamming-‘Big,-Beautiful’-Budget-BillMusk steps down from federal role after clashing with Trump’s multitrillion-dollar budget plan

 

Tesla and SpaceX billionaire CEO Elon Musk has announced that he is leaving the Trump administration after his role as a Special Government Employee. Musk was commissioned to assist in leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal program designed to eliminate wasteful spending and make government operations more efficient.

In a post on his social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk thanked US President Donald Trump for the chance to help the government trim down. “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.

His message further read, “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”

 

Departure Comes Following Criticism of Budget Bill

 

Although Musk’s departure was expected, the temporary nature of his position allowed him to work up to 130 days annually in federal service. The timing of his departure from the program put him in the spotlight. It occurred a day following his public denunciation of Trump’s signature budget bill as a disappointment and an undercutting of DOGE’s mission.

In an interview with CBS News, the tech billionaire said, “I was also dismayed to see the enormous spending bill that raises the budget deficit and also counteracts the efforts of the DOGE team.” He continued, “I believe a bill can be large or it can be elegant, but I’m not sure if it can be both.”

The Trump administration has described the bill as a historic fiscal overhaul package. They have stated that it would amount to more than $1.6 trillion in mandatory spending savings, in addition to far-reaching welfare reform. But Musk’s statements suggest a divergence between the administration’s overall fiscal strategy and the central objectives of the DOGE program.

 

White House Begins Offboarding Process

 

As per the BBC reports, the White House started offboarding Musk from his advisory role within the government on Wednesday night. Although his term was always temporary, Musk’s public displeasure with the legislative course represents a significant change in the dynamic between the administration and one of its most visible allies.

 

Zeroing in on Tesla and SpaceX

 

Musk’s departure marks his return to his core focus on his expanding list of tech businesses. Those who are close to the entrepreneur report that he plans to spend more time on SpaceX’s Mars programs and Tesla’s pipeline of innovation.

Even in departing, Musk expressed an optimistic view of DOGE’s future. “Stranger things have happened,” he said. “This isn’t the end for DOGE. It’s the beginning of a mindset shift that can continue to transform the government.”