Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), concluding a 130-day tenure marked by bold reforms and sweeping cost-cutting initiatives under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Appointed as a special government employee, Musk was brought in with a clear directive: expose and eliminate waste, fraud, and inefficiency across the federal government. His time at DOGE delivered just that. From uncovering absurd bureaucratic bloat—like the millions of outdated Social Security records—to streamlining operations in key agencies, Musk’s leadership transformed the federal efficiency landscape in record time.
Although his role was limited by law to a 130-day term, Musk’s impact is expected to resonate well beyond his official departure. The DOGE initiative, now firmly embedded in the Trump administration’s agenda, continues to serve as a model for how tech-driven problem solving can revolutionize public institutions.
In a parting statement, Musk expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his commitment to public service, even if from the outside. “We proved that with the right team and the right leadership, even the federal government can move fast and get results,” Musk said.
President Trump praised Musk’s work, calling him “a patriot, a brilliant guy, and a true friend of the American people.” The president noted that the reforms sparked by DOGE would be carried forward through ongoing legislative action and the upcoming federal budget, which incorporates many of Musk’s recommendations.
While stepping away from official duties, Musk will return to focus on his roles at Tesla and SpaceX but is expected to remain a close informal advisor to the Trump administration, particularly as Congress begins acting on DOGE’s findings.
Musk’s time at DOGE not only shook up Washington’s stagnant bureaucracy—it redefined what’s possible when innovation and governance collide. With the foundation now laid, the mission to restore fiscal sanity to Washington marches on.