Elon Musk has officially ended his tenure in the Trump administration as a Special Government Employee. His departure, announced shortly after his sharp public criticism of President Donald Trump’s key legislative proposal—the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—marks the close of a turbulent but high-profile chapter in the Tesla CEO’s foray into government reform.
From leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to clashing with entrenched federal bureaucracies and enduring fierce political backlash, Musk’s stint was short-lived but dramatic.
Musk’s Exit: An Official End to a Temporary Role
On Thursday, Elon Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his departure:
“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 was appointed as a Special Government Employee (SGE) at the start of Trump’s second term on January 20, with a legally fixed term of 130 days under U.S. ethics laws. His role focused on streamlining government functions and slashing unnecessary spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
While Musk’s term was always intended to be temporary, the circumstances around his departure have drawn heightened attention due to his open rebuke of Trump’s marquee spending bill just days before his exit.
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
Musk vs. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
Just before stepping down, Musk gave a high-profile CBS interview and offered blunt criticism of President Trump’s flagship legislation, which combines sweeping tax cuts with massive government spending.
Musk’s Criticism:
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Called the bill a “massive spending bill” that undermines DOGE’s mission.
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Warned that the bill would increase the federal deficit, contradicting efforts to reduce government waste.
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In a CBS interview, said:
“It’s a massive spending bill. It undermines the work we’ve done at DOGE to reduce the size of government and control unnecessary costs.”
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Added pointedly:
“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful. But I don’t know if it could be both.”
His remarks sharply contrasted with earlier praise for Trump, including a February statement:
“The more I’ve gotten to know President Trump, the more I like the guy. Frankly, I love him.”
Fallout and Political Blowback
Musk’s critical stance on the bill further deepened existing divisions within the Republican Party, where the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has already faced backlash.
Republican Reactions:
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Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) backed Musk’s concerns:
“I sympathise with Elon being discouraged.”
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Johnson suggested the bill could be stalled unless fiscal concerns are addressed.
Trump’s Response:
While defending the bill from the Oval Office, Trump acknowledged its imperfections:
“I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it… It’s got a way to go.”
DOGE’s Turbulent Journey Under Musk
As head of DOGE, Musk was tasked with cutting down federal waste and streamlining government operations. However, despite some early optimism, he quickly ran into institutional roadblocks.
Achievements and Shortfalls:
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Initial goals to reduce spending by $2 trillion were scaled down to $150 billion.
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DOGE successfully removed tens of thousands from federal payrolls, but Musk admitted this was far short of what he had hoped to accomplish.
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Internal resistance proved overwhelming:
“The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised,” Musk told The Washington Post.
“It sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC.”
DOGE Becomes a Scapegoat:
Musk lamented that DOGE often took the blame for broader administrative failures:
“Something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.”
Personal and Professional Backlash
Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration had ripple effects beyond Washington. His companies, particularly Tesla, became targets of public outrage.
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Tesla faced protests and even arson attacks amid mounting political tensions.
“People were burning Teslas. Why would you do that? That’s really uncool,” Musk commented.
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Musk also hinted that his political involvement came at the cost of personal well-being and business stability.
Trump Hints at Musk’s Exit Early On
Even before Musk made his departure official, Trump had acknowledged Musk’s likely short tenure in a March interview with Politico:
“I think he is amazing but I also think he’s got a big company to run... I would keep him as long as I could keep him.”
Trump added that DOGE’s work would likely continue:
“There will be a point at which the secretaries will be able to do this work.”
What’s Next for Musk and DOGE?
For Elon Musk:
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The billionaire has made it clear that he’s turning his attention back to his companies:
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Tesla
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SpaceX, especially after a Starship prototype explosion over the Indian Ocean.
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Musk also said he would step back from political donations, after reportedly spending $250 million backing Trump:
“I think I’ve done enough.”
For DOGE:
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Trump, when asked whether DOGE would continue, was non-committal:
“I can't tell you that… I think some of them may try to keep the DOGE people… At a certain point, I think it will end.”
Despite uncertainty, Trump emphasized that many DOGE principles were being adopted by agency secretaries and department heads, suggesting that the initiative may live on in some form.
End of a Brief but Pivotal Chapter
Elon Musk’s government service, though limited to just 130 days, left an indelible mark on the Trump administration’s public perception, legislative ambitions, and internal dynamics. His dramatic exit—catalyzed by open defiance of Trump’s prized spending bill—underscores the growing tension between fiscal conservatives and a populist White House grappling with compromise.
While Musk’s political career may have ended (at least for now), his brief time as a federal reformer adds yet another chapter to the story of one of the most influential figures of our time. As for DOGE, its future remains uncertain—caught between the ideals Musk tried to enforce and the political realities he ultimately couldn't change.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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