Elon Musk Bids Farewell to the Trump Administration: What's Behind the Departure?

Elon Musk has concluded his brief yet intense stint with the U.S. government, marking the end of a period filled with bold promises, internal clashes, and mounting frustration with federal bureaucracy. The billionaire, who serves as CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and the social network X, steps away from his role as "Special Government Employee" in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an entity established by Donald Trump to trim down the size of the state.

An Unexpected Departure Without Ceremony

Musk's exit was confirmed on Wednesday night by a White House official, as reported by Reuters. Without any prior notice or formal farewell to Trump, the entrepreneur announced his decision via a post on X. "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 unnecessary spending," the magnate tweeted. "@DUX The mission will only grow stronger over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," he added.

Although his term was set to conclude on May 30th, his departure was reportedly hastened following a televised statement in which he harshly criticized a tax bill backed by Trump, according to the American press. "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit rather than reducing it, undermining the work being done by the DOGE team," he told CBS News.

However, in recent hours, Musk himself retweeted a post clarifying that he is not leaving on bad terms with the president—despite claims to the contrary—stating that his time simply ran out. "In the coming days, mainstream media will try to convince you that President Trump and Elon Musk are no longer friends and that’s why Musk left. What they won’t tell you is that Elon was a Special Government Employee, limited to 130 days of service, and that period ends tomorrow," the text stated.

From Loyal Ally to Disruptive Voice

During the initial months of Trump's presidency, Musk was a dominant figure in Washington: visible, combative, and disruptive. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February, he appeared brandishing a metallic red chainsaw. "This is the chainsaw of bureaucracy," he declared to a cheering crowd.

DOGE aimed to drastically cut public spending, with Musk asserting that he could slash at least $2 trillion. According to his own—unverified—figures, DOGE had saved $175 billion to date. Yet, this figure falls short of initial expectations. Over time, his prominence waned. "The state of federal bureaucracy is far worse than I imagined," he told The Washington Post. "It’s an uphill battle to try to improve the situation in Washington D.C., to say the least," he added.

Internal Conflicts and Growing Opposition

Musk's tenure at DOGE wasn't without controversy. He clashed with several cabinet members, including Marco Rubio (Secretary of State), Sean Duffy (Transportation), and Scott Bessent (Treasury). He also publicly insulted Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade advisor, calling him a "fool" and "dumber than a bag of bricks."

Musk's disdain for the federal workforce was explicit: he predicted a "wave of voluntary layoffs we celebrate" upon revoking telework instituted during the pandemic. However, his methods met resistance. Trump himself reminded in March that personnel decisions were up to department secretaries, not Musk. His cost-cutting efforts faced legal hurdles, with multiple courts blocking DOGE’s decisions, causing administrative bottlenecks, increased costs, and talent drain.

Disillusioned with Politics, Refocusing on His Companies

Musk began distancing himself from Washington, realizing he needed to refocus on his businesses. This, coupled with some disagreements with the president on issues like tariffs, widened the gap. "I think I probably spent too much time in politics," he told Ars Technica this week. "It was simply a matter of time allocation," he added.

In a recent post on X, he stated: "Back to working 24/7. I must focus entirely on X/xAI and Tesla." Meanwhile, SpaceX conducted a test flight of the Starship rocket, which, although it exploded due to a leak, Musk termed a "great improvement." Sporting a T-shirt with the slogan "Occupy Mars," he reaffirmed his business priorities.

Unfulfilled Promises, Geopolitical Tensions, and Ethical Concerns

Musk had pledged to donate $100 million to Trump's political operation, but the funds have yet to materialize. His criticisms of a lucrative contract awarded to a competitor for a data center in Abu Dhabi, from which his company xAI was excluded, also raised eyebrows. During a dinner with Qatar's emir at the Lusail Palace, Musk was sidelined, a stark contrast to his former status as the president's "first friend."

Trump was also reportedly uneasy about a confidential briefing on China that Musk was to receive at the Pentagon, according to The New York Times. Although Trump avoided directly addressing the entrepreneur, the disappointment was palpable.

What Lies Ahead for DOGE?

Musk's legacy at DOGE is mixed. Under his leadership, the federal government cut about 12% of its civilian workforce, according to Reuters. However, his aggressive and confrontational approach generated more friction than profound reforms. While his departure is official, several close collaborators, such as Steve Davis and Antonio Gracias, remain active in the administration. "The DOGE mission will strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk reiterated in his farewell. Whether that mission will endure without him at the helm remains to be seen. For now, the world’s richest entrepreneur returns to the private sector, convinced that his political influence has come at too high a cost for himself and his businesses.