Elon Musk Exits White House Role, Says Mission to Cut Government Waste Will Continue

Elon Musk has confirmed his departure from the Trump administration after completing his temporary role leading a government cost-cutting initiative that resulted in hundreds of thousands of federal job reductions.

In a statement posted on X, his social media platform, Musk thanked President Donald Trump for the opportunity to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, known as “Doge,” and affirmed that the mission to reduce wasteful spending “will only strengthen over time.”

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

Musk’s exit, while expected, follows his sharp criticism of Trump’s latest budget bill, which includes expansive tax cuts and a major boost in defense spending. Speaking with CBS, Musk called the legislation “disappointing” and said it “undermines the work” of Doge, suggesting the plan would increase the federal deficit rather than shrink it.

“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” he said. “But I don't know if it could be both.”

A Cost-Cutting Campaign with Consequences

Designated as a “special government employee,” Musk had a statutory limit of 130 working days per year. His tenure began shortly after Trump’s second inauguration and reached the time cap this month.

During his time in Washington, Musk pledged to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget, later adjusting the target downward to $150 billion. Under Doge, an estimated 260,000 federal employees were either laid off or accepted early retirement packages, according to internal administration figures.

The job cuts sparked backlash across agencies. In several instances, federal judges intervened to block mass firings, and in one case, staff from the U.S. nuclear program were mistakenly terminated before being reinstated.

Musk acknowledged the controversy, saying Doge had become “the whipping boy for everything,” and that his office was blamed for operational mishaps beyond its scope.

“Something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it,” he said in remarks to The Washington Post.

Tesla’s Financial Struggles Add Pressure

Musk’s time in public service coincided with a sharp downturn at Tesla, his flagship electric car company. The automaker reported a 13% drop in vehicle deliveries during the first quarter of 2025, the worst in its history, and its stock fell by as much as 45% before partially recovering.

Facing activist protests, vandalism at Tesla dealerships, and a broader political backlash tied to his role in the administration, Musk told shareholders during an April earnings call that he would shift his focus back to the company.

“The time I allocate to Doge will drop significantly,” he said. “I’ll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi later classified the Tesla-related vandalism as “domestic terrorism,” following a surge of incidents across multiple states.

Musk Repositions Amid Political Fallout

Musk also announced plans to reduce his political contributions after spending nearly $300 million supporting Trump’s reelection campaign and other Republican causes in 2024. Speaking at a forum in Doha, Qatar, earlier this week, he reiterated his commitment to remain CEO of Tesla for the next five years.

Although he is stepping back from Washington, Musk said the mission of Doge would outlast his tenure.

“Government efficiency isn’t a moment,” he posted. “It’s a mindset.”

The White House began formally offboarding Musk on Wednesday night. Aides emphasized that the billionaire’s role was always meant to be temporary.