Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration, Ending Chaotic Tenure
By Nandita Bose, David Shepardson, and Gram Slattery
WASHINGTON (CNB News) – Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk is stepping down from his role in the Trump administration following a chaotic push for increased efficiency. During this time, he disrupted multiple federal agencies, yet was unable to achieve the significant cost reductions he aimed for.
His offboarding will commence tonight,” a White House official informed CNBCWednesday, corroborating Musk’s exit from governmental roles. Earlier in the day, Musk utilized his social media platform X to express gratitude to President Donald Trump as his tenure as a special government employee at the Department of Government Efficiency was coming to a close.
He left swiftly and without ceremony. According to an individual familiar with the situation, he didn’t engage in a structured discussion with Trump prior to declaring his resignation, with the decision reportedly made at the higher echelons of staff leadership.
Although the exact details of his departure weren't immediately known, he departed one day after he criticized Trump's prominent tax legislation, describing it as overly costly and a policy that could hinder his efforts with the U.S. Doge Service.
Several high-ranking White House officials, such as Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, were notably irritated by these remarks. As a result, the administration had to reach out to Republican senators to reaffirm President Trump’s backing of the legislation, according to an insider privy to the situation.
Although Musk continues to maintain a relationship with the president, his departure follows a consistent yet slow decline in his influence.
Following Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, the wealthy businessman swiftly became a significant presence within Trump's sphere: highly conspicuous, unabashedly bold, and unconstrained by conventional standards. During the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, he showcased a gleaming red metal chainsaw amidst enthusiastic applause. “This,” he announced, “is the chainsaw of bureaucracy.”
On the campaign trail, Musk had said DOGE would be able to cut at least $2 trillion in federal spending. He did not hide his animus for the federal workforce, and he predicted that revoking "the COVID-era privilege" of telework would trigger "a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome."
However, certain cabinet members who first welcomed Musk's fresh perspective became cautious about his methods, according to insiders. Gradually, they felt emboldened to oppose his proposed layoffs, bolstered by Trump’s statement in early March that emphasized staffing choices were the responsibility of department heads rather than Musk.
Musk had disagreements with three of Trump’s top officials: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He referred to Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, as both “a moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” In response to these remarks, Navarro remained unfazed, stating simply, “I’ve heard worse before.”
Meanwhile, Musk started suggesting that his tenure in public office was nearing an end, occasionally voicing irritation over his inability to significantly reduce expenditures.
During a Tesla conference call on April 22, he indicated that he planned to considerably reduce his involvement in governmental affairs to concentrate more on his business ventures.
DOGE GOES ON
Musk's 130-day assignment as a special government employee under the Trump administration was scheduled to end around May 30. The administration stated that DOGE’s initiatives aimed at reforming and downsizing the federal government will proceed.
Musk stated that the DOGE mission will only become more robust with time as it integrates into everyday practices across the governmental sector.
Trump and DOGE have managed to cut nearly 12%, or 260,000, of the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce largely through threats of firings, buyouts and early retirement offers, a CNBNewsreview of agency departures found.
On Tuesday, Musk took aim at the cost associated with the Republican tax and budget proposal as it advances through Congress.
“I was dismayed to learn about the large spending bill, which actually escalates the budget deficit instead of reducing it, thereby hampering the efforts of the DOGE team,” Musk stated to CBS News.
His political engagements have sparked protests, with certain investors urging him to step down from his role as an advisor to Trump and focus more intently on managing Tesla. The company has experienced declines both in sales and its share price.
Musk, who tops the list of wealthiest individuals globally, has spoken up about his position as a self-appointed leader bestowed with exceptional power by Trump to overhaul sections of the federal administration.
After investing almost $300 million to support Trump's presidential run and other Republican candidates last year, he recently stated that he plans to significantly reduce his political expenditures.
Musk stated at an economic conference in Qatar that he believes he has accomplished sufficient work.
(Reported by Nandita Bose, David Shepardson, and Kanjak Ghosh; Edited by Chris Sanders and Stephen Coates)