Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has officially left his role as a top adviser in Donald Trump’s administration, marking a dramatic end to a contentious and high-profile partnership. His departure comes amid a rare public disagreement with Trump over fiscal policy and follows months of turbulence in his efforts to slash federal spending.
## **The Departure Announcement**
On May 28, 2025, Musk announced his exit on his social media platform, X, stating that his "scheduled time as a Special Government Employee" had come to an end. He thanked Trump for the "opportunity to reduce wasteful spending" but signaled that his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would continue in spirit .
A White House official confirmed his departure, noting that Musk’s "off-boarding" began immediately . His role was always intended to be temporary, as special government employees are limited to 130 days of service within a 365-day period .
## **The Breaking Point: Clash Over Trump’s Spending Bill**
The immediate catalyst for Musk’s exit was his criticism of Trump’s signature legislative package, the **"One Big Beautiful Bill"**—a sweeping tax-and-spending proposal that Musk argued would **increase the federal deficit** rather than reduce it.
- In an interview with **CBS News**, Musk called the bill a **"massive spending bill"** that "undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing" .
- He quipped, **"A bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both"**—a direct jab at Trump’s branding of the legislation .
Trump, while defending the bill, acknowledged that negotiations were ongoing, saying, **"I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects"** .
## **A Rocky Tenure at DOGE**
Musk’s time in the Trump administration was marked by **controversy, legal challenges, and unmet goals**:
1. **Aggressive Cost-Cutting Backfires**
- Musk initially promised to slash **$2 trillion** in federal spending but later scaled back expectations to **$150 billion** .
- DOGE eliminated **260,000 federal jobs** (12% of the civilian workforce), but many cuts were reversed by courts, which ruled some firings unconstitutional .
- The agency faced lawsuits from **14 states** and federal unions over transparency violations .
2. **Clashes with Trump Officials**
- Musk publicly feuded with key Trump advisers, including trade advisor **Peter Navarro**, whom he called a **"moron"** .
- He also clashed with cabinet members like **Secretary of State Marco Rubio** over foreign aid cuts .
3. **Damage to Tesla and SpaceX**
- Tesla’s profits **dropped 71%** amid backlash from Musk’s political role, including protests and vandalism against the company .
- SpaceX also faced setbacks, including a failed **Starship test flight** just days before his resignation .
## **What’s Next for Musk and DOGE?**
- **Musk’s Return to Business**
- Musk has vowed to refocus on Tesla and SpaceX, admitting he **"probably did spend a bit too much time on politics"** .
- He also plans to **reduce political donations** after spending **$288 million** backing Trump in 2024 .
- **DOGE’s Uncertain Future**
- Trump has not named a successor, but administration officials insist DOGE’s mission will continue .
- Critics, however, argue the agency’s influence will wane without Musk’s direct involvement .
## **A Fractured Alliance**
Musk’s exit underscores the **limits of billionaire influence in Washington** and the challenges of reforming entrenched bureaucracy. While he and Trump once shared a **mutually beneficial alliance**, their divergence on fiscal policy reveals deeper ideological rifts.
As Musk steps back into the private sector, his legacy in government will be debated—**a mix of bold reform attempts, chaotic execution, and unintended consequences**. Meanwhile, Trump must navigate a divided GOP, with some Republicans echoing Musk’s concerns over deficit spending .
For now, the **Musk-Trump era** in Washington is over, leaving behind a trail of upheaval—and a government still grappling with the fallout.
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**Sources:** [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com) | [AP News](https://apnews.com) | [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com) | [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com) | [BBC](https://www.bbc.com)
