Washington, D.C.: Elon Musk has officially ended his 130-day role as a Special Government Employee in the Trump administration, marking the close of a brief but turbulent tenure. His departure follows rising tensions over President Trump’s newly passed multi-trillion-dollar spending bill.
Musk was appointed earlier this year to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with a clear mission: cut red tape and curb federal waste. However, his cost-cutting vision reportedly clashed with the President’s expansive “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which boosts spending on tax breaks, border security, and Medicaid reforms.
The role Musk held—Special Government Employee—is a temporary federal designation allowing service for up to 130 days per year. That term ends this Friday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk confirmed his exit:
“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.”
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
White House officials confirmed that Musk began the formal offboarding process Wednesday night.
His exit comes just days after a CBS interview in which Musk sharply criticized the administration’s budget bill. “It increases the deficit and undermines the very goals DOGE was created to achieve,” he said.
President Trump responded Wednesday, saying, “I’m not happy about certain aspects of the bill, but I’m thrilled by others. It’s about balance.”
With his government role now behind him, Musk is expected to return full-time to Tesla and SpaceX—companies that reportedly saw slowed momentum during his D.C. assignment.
Meanwhile, the controversial spending bill—already passed in the House—is now headed to the Senate for debate.
