After a contentious 130 days of government service, Elon Musk resigned in May 2025 as the head of the US government’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). Policy issues, internal problems, public condemnation, and the detrimental effects it was having on his companies were some of the factors that drove his decision.
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Elon Musk and about DOGE
The primary goal of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the US federal government. It’s strategy to reduce government expenditure, increase the productivity, remove outdated and less effective rules and regulation and use technologies similar as Artificial Intelligence for fast administrative procedures. This formal was founded on the concept of government should become more tech driven to give guarantee with more transparency and results while using these resources.
Musk had issued with the Trump administration’s recent budget proposal, which is based on significant tax cuts and spending. Which law, he was added, would raise the shortfall in the government’s budget and this was a step against DOGE’s cost-cutting initiatives.
Elon Musk told about goal of DOGE
Under DOGE, Musk had hoped to save $2 trillion, but he was only able to save $150 billion. He faced legal challenges and public censure for his strict actions, which included closing government agencies and bring to an end.
The goal of DOGE was to reduce government’s expenditure by $2 trillion. They took action by laying off workers, closing government organisations, and using AI to run procedures. But their initiatives only saved $150 billion, which was less of what they were expected to save.
ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL ACT
Elon Musk was directly impacted by “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was introduced to resist his attempts to reduce expenditure in his DOGE department. Musk said that the plan would loss the government efficiency and raise the expenses exceed revenues. Cause of this disagreement musk was decided to concentrate on his companies, including SpaceX and Tesla and leave the DOGE’s chief executive position.
Tesla takedown
Tesla decreased in its sale and harm to its reputation in worldwide during his tenure in DOGE, specially in Europe, where sales dropped by 49%. Moreover, protests like the “Tesla Takedown” had an adverse effect on company’s image, raising the concerns among investors and consumers.
Elon Musk was the biggest individual donor in the 2024 US presidential election, spending close to $300 million to support Republican candidates including Donald Trump.
Super PACs like “America PAC” and “RBG PAC” received the majority of this sum in an effort to support Trump’s campaign.
Elon Musk announced his resignation as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on May 28, 2025.
How Elon Musk announced his resignation
He said that his 130-day special government employee tenure has ended and now he will focus on his businesses like Tesla and SpaceX. Musk thanked President Trump and wrote:
“As my designated time as a special staff member comes to an end, I want to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce unnecessary spending.”
He also said that DOGE’s mission would become a permanent ideology, and that he may take on an advisory role in the future, but will not hold an administrative position.
Thus, Musk resigned in a calm and polite manner, not through a formal letter but through a public post.
Following Elon Musk’s resignation from DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), President Donald Trump held a farewell ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025. On the occasion, Trump presented Musk with a symbolic large key reserved for “very special people”, a sign of gratitude for his contributions. Trump praised Musk, saying, “Elon is terrific!” and also added that “he’s not really leaving.” He indicated that Musk would remain in an informal advisory role and that DOGE’s mission would continue.