Billionaire Ends Tenure at Department of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire, announced his departure from the Trump administration on May 28, 2025, concluding his 180-day role as a special government employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk posted on X, thanking President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce government spending.
Appointed via executive order on January 20, 2025, Musk spearheaded DOGE to cut federal costs and streamline bureaucracy. The initiative claimed $175 billion in savings, though analyses, including by Reuters, could not verify this, and a Partnership for Public Service report estimated $135 billion in related costs. DOGE facilitated 260,000 job cuts, disrupting agencies like the Department of Education.
Musk’s exit followed his public criticism of Trump’s tax and spending bill on May 27, 2025, calling it a “massive spending bill” that undermined DOGE’s efforts. Tensions with cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, marked his tenure, with clashes over policy and appointments.
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.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025
The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.
A White House official, speaking anonymously, confirmed Musk’s departure, noting he remained on good terms with Trump. Musk cited a need to focus on Tesla, whose stock price rose 0.43% to $358.43 on May 29, as shown in the finance card above, and SpaceX. His off-boarding began May 28 without a formal discussion with Trump, per a source familiar with the matter.
Despite Musk’s exit, DOGE’s operations will continue until July 2026 under Trump’s executive order, with allies like Stephen Miller expected to sustain its agenda. The precise circumstances of Musk’s departure remain unclear, reflecting his frustration with Washington’s bureaucratic challenges.