Controversy Ends, Questions Remain — Musk departs the Trump-era initiative DOGE amid backlash over deep spending cuts and revived government contracts, leaving a mixed legacy in federal reform.
BY PC Bureau
May 29, 2025 — Tech mogul Elon Musk has officially ended his association with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial initiative he co-led under the Trump administration to slash federal spending and streamline bureaucracy. Musk announced his departure on X, his social media platform, late Wednesday, signaling a return to his private enterprises, including SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI.
Musk’s exit comes after months of intense scrutiny and mixed results from DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. Launched in January 2025, DOGE aimed to eliminate $1 trillion from the $7 trillion federal budget by targeting wasteful spending, slashing federal jobs, and canceling government contracts. However, recent reports reveal that at least 44 contracts, worth over $220 million, were revived by federal agencies after being terminated by DOGE, undermining claims of significant savings.
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
In a post on X, Musk wrote, “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. My focus now returns to advancing innovation at SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI.” The announcement follows Musk’s growing frustration with bureaucratic resistance and political pushback, including a public clash with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the appointment of a new IRS commissioner.
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Critics, including marketing professor Scott Galloway, have labeled Musk’s DOGE tenure “one of the greatest brand destructions” due to its alienation of Tesla’s core electric vehicle customers and a reported 71% dip in Tesla profits. Others, like Bill Gates, criticized DOGE’s cuts to USAID, warning they could lead to “millions of deaths” globally by disrupting humanitarian aid.
Despite Musk’s departure, DOGE’s work is set to continue under remaining staff, with tools like the “Workforce Reshaping Tool” designed to accelerate federal layoffs. Some Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, argue Musk’s influence will persist, stating, “Elon isn’t going anywhere.”
Musk’s return to SpaceX coincides with critical test flights for the Starship spacecraft, which recently faced setbacks. His exit from Washington marks the end of a tumultuous chapter, leaving questions about DOGE’s future impact and Musk’s lasting footprint on the federal government.
