Elon Musk has officially stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), concluding a high-profile, 130-day tenure that focused on eliminating waste and streamlining federal operations under President Trump’s administration.
In a parting statement, Musk thanked President Trump for the opportunity to lead the department, saying, “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.” Musk emphasized that while his official duties are over, the mission of DOGE would continue, embedded in the machinery of government as a lasting tool for reform.
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
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE claimed to have saved taxpayers over $175 billion by canceling bloated contracts, identifying fraudulent expenditures, liquidating unnecessary assets, and reducing bureaucratic redundancies. Though critics have questioned the scope and accuracy of those figures, the initiative is widely credited with bringing a fresh, results-oriented approach to federal oversight.
However, Musk did not hold back from criticizing the Trump administration’s recent tax and spending package, which he described as a “massive spending bill” that undercuts the very purpose of the DOGE reforms. In his farewell remarks, he warned that the bill risks undoing the fiscal gains achieved by the department and sends mixed signals about the administration’s commitment to reducing the deficit.
“This bill grows the budget instead of shrinking it,” Musk said. “It runs counter to the efficiency goals we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”
With his departure from DOGE, Musk said he plans to refocus on his core business ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, and scale back his involvement in political matters. He admitted that his time spent on government affairs had exceeded expectations and would now be significantly reduced.
Still, insiders say Musk remains close to the Trump team and is expected to continue serving as an informal advisor as the White House works to codify DOGE reforms into law through Congress.
Musk’s exit marks the end of an ambitious experiment in public-private collaboration to reform the federal government. Though no longer in the role, his influence on Trump-era efficiency efforts is likely to endure—and his departure leaves a high bar for whoever takes up the torch next.