Elon Musk has formally resigned from the Trump administration after serving as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the last four months. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that the Tesla CEO had left, bringing an end to a significant chapter in his government role.
Musk Grateful, Confident in DOGE’s Future
On X, Musk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for the chance to assist in cutting wasteful government spending. “As my term as a Special Government Employee is set to expire, I want to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the chance to cut wasteful spending,” Musk stated. “The DOGE mission will only grow stronger over time as it becomes a way of life across the government.”
With Musk’s resignation, everyone wants to know who will top DOGE next. In an interaction with the media last month on Trump’s 100th day in office, Musk alluded to his resignation and answered the leadership question. “DOGE is a lifestyle, as much as Buddhism. Is Buddha required for Buddhism? Was it [Buddhism] not more powerful following his [Buddha] death?” he stated. He promised that DOGE would keep picking up speed even after his resignation.
Criticism of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Preceded Exit
Musk’s resignation came after he openly criticized President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Musk said went against DOGE’s mission by raising the national deficit. He declared, “A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion.”
Since assuming the role in the administration, Musk spearheaded a number of austerity measures to reorganize government operations, cut waste, and shrink departments. Nonetheless, balancing his duties at DOGE with his other businesses, such as Tesla and SpaceX, proved to be draining. In March, shares in Tesla dropped by 15%, and SpaceX suffered setbacks, igniting investors’ fears over Musk’s split attention.
His participation in the Trump presidency, although without an elected position, ignited mass protests throughout the U.S. and Europe. Investors also tried to convince him to focus on Tesla, particularly since the company struggled during his time at the White House.
Political Spending and Future Focus
Last year, Elon Musk gave close to $300 million to fund Trump’s presidential bid and other Republican office seekers. Earlier this month, he said he would cut back on his political donations in the future.
Musk’s resignation marks a strategic move to concentrate more on his core businesses while leaving behind a changing legacy in federal government efficiency reform.
