Billionaire steps down from DOGE after sharp criticism of Trump tax bill
Elon Musk has officially ended his tenure as a special government employee and senior adviser to the Trump administration, stepping down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after a four-month term marked by controversy and growing political tension.
Musk announced his departure on May 28 in a post on X, formerly Twitter, as his designation under the federal “special government employee” classification expired. That classification allowed him to serve up to 130 days per year in a government role.
“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.”
A White House official confirmed Musk’s departure, stating, “The off boarding process has begun.”
Musk’s exit came just one day after he publicly criticized Trump’s recently passed tax and spending package, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill.” Speaking on CBS Sunday Morning on May 27, Musk expressed disappointment in the legislation, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects will add $3.8 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” Musk said.
“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion.”
Musk’s remarks represented a notable break from Trump, who had counted the tech billionaire as one of his most prominent allies. Musk was a major financial backer of Trump’s 2024 campaign but has since indicated a change in direction.
“I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future,” Musk said during the Bloomberg News Qatar Economic Forum on May 20. “I think I’ve done enough.”
As the architect of DOGE’s sweeping efforts to overhaul the federal government, Musk oversaw a wide range of actions including the elimination of entire agencies, the cancellation of federal contracts, and the layoff of tens of thousands of federal employees. DOGE has claimed to have saved more than $175 billion, though analysts have flagged many of those savings as inflated or unsupported.
Before departing, Musk said he may continue DOGE’s cost-cutting crusade from the outside, this time aimed at the Federal Reserve. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Musk questioned the central bank’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation, calling for scrutiny.
“Since at the end of the day this is all taxpayer money, I think… we should definitely look to see if indeed the Federal Reserve is spending $2.5 billion on their interior designer,” Musk said. “That’s an eyebrow raiser.”
The Federal Reserve has attributed the ballooning costs to inflation-driven price hikes in building materials and labor, noting the project began in 2021. Nonetheless, Musk’s suggestion of an audit may deepen tensions between the Fed and the Trump administration.
Fed chair Jerome Powell has already faced pressure from the president to lower interest rates, with Trump recently stating Powell’s removal “cannot come fast enough.”
Although the Fed is not funded through congressional appropriations and instead operates on income from its own balance sheet, its rising interest expenses have pushed it into a deficit.
Read more: Musk's DOGE sets its sights on the Federal Reserve
Despite Musk’s departure, DOGE will continue to operate, staffed by over 100 government employees. At a recent press event, Musk downplayed the impact of his exit, stating:
“Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?” he asked. “DOGE is a way of life.”
Musk’s departure comes as he shifts focus back to his business ventures. Tesla, which saw financial turbulence during his government tenure, and SpaceX, which recently completed a test flight of its Starship spacecraft, are expected to command more of his attention moving forward.
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