Billionaire business magnate Elon Musk is exiting the Trump White House after a tense period of cooperation on federal overhaul. A White House aide told Reuters that Musk will begin his off-boarding process tonight, confirming his exit. The development comes after Musk publicly denigrated President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled spending bill.
In a tweet before he resigned, Musk thanked Trump.
“As my time as a Special Government Employee draws to a close, I’d like to express my gratitude to President @realDonaldTrump for the chance to eliminate wasteful expenditure,” Musk posted. “The @DOGE mission will only continue to get stronger over time as it becomes a culture throughout the government.”
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.
The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025
Elon Musk had been working as a Special Government Employee (SGE), dealing with initiatives to cut federal spending under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program. His resignation brings an end to one of the high-profile collaborations between the private sector inventor and the Trump administration.
Disagreement Over Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful’ Spending Bill
Musk’s resignation came days after he publicly berated Trump’s newly introduced ‘Big, Beautiful’ spending bill. The administration asserts the bill will save more than $1.6 trillion in mandatory spending, including sweeping welfare reform.
Musk was, however, sternly critical of the bill’s fiscal implications.
“To be honest, the huge spending bill dismayed me because it adds to the budget deficit and counteracts the DOGE team’s accomplishments. I believe a bill can be large or it can be lovely, but I do not know whether it can be both,” Musk explained in an interview with CBS News.
President Trump responded to Musk’s criticisms by conceding the billionaire entrepreneur’s concerns while also upholding key provisions of the legislation.
“We will be negotiating that bill, and I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it,” Trump stated.
Musk to Refocus on Tesla and Other Ventures
During a recent Tesla earnings call, Musk revealed plans to shift his focus back to his company.
“Starting next month, I’ll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla, now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done,” he said.
Musk’s departure concludes a controversial chapter in the Trump administration’s push for government reform, with his impact on spending initiatives leaving a lasting impression.
