Elon Musk ends controversial role in Trump Government

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Friday, May 30th, 2025

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rki.news
Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his role as a Special Government Employee in the Trump administration. Announcing his departure on social media, Musk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for the opportunity, saying, “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time.”
His exit, expected due to the 130-day annual service limit for such roles, marks the end of a controversial chapter in Musk’s public service. Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an aggressive cost-cutting initiative that resulted in the abrupt shutdown of agencies such as USAID. He famously wielded a chainsaw at CPAC to symbolize his mission to slash government spending.
While the DOGE initiative claimed $175 billion in savings—far short of Musk’s original $2 trillion goal—critics argue the figure is exaggerated. The closure of USAID drew sharp criticism from figures like Bill Gates, who condemned the impact on global food and medical aid programs.
Musk’s presence at White House events had diminished in recent weeks. Sources suggest internal clashes, particularly with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, over Musk’s attempts to install his own IRS head. He also criticized Trump’s latest tax-and-spending bill, calling it a blow to deficit reduction efforts.
Musk’s political involvement damaged his public image and Tesla’s brand. He hinted at stepping back to focus on his companies. His political capital took another hit after spending $25 million on a failed conservative judicial campaign in Wisconsin.
Reflecting on his tenure, Musk told The Washington Post, “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.”