Elon Musk has announced his early resignation from his role as a Special Government Employee in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), expressing disappointment with the Trump administration’s latest fiscal policies. Originally scheduled to conclude his term on May 28, Musk stepped down three days ahead of time, following his public criticism of President Trump’s new spending bill.
In a preview clip aired by CBS on May 27, Musk voiced his concerns about the spending bill, stating, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill; frankly, it increases the budget deficit, not decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.” He further commented, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful… but I don’t know if it can be both.”
Following his departure, Musk took to his platform X to confirm the move, writing, “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I’d like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only grow stronger as it becomes a way of life across government.”
Musk’s role in DOGE, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, focused on reducing government waste, streamlining bureaucracy, and cutting costs. Their plans included significant layoffs, dismantling DEI programs, and major cuts to the Department of Education. Musk had previously pledged to shut down the department entirely by July 4, 2026, symbolically aligning the project’s end with U.S. Independence Day.
The newly introduced spending bill, dubbed the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ by President Trump, includes massive increases in defense spending, tax breaks in the trillions, and the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Critics, including Musk, argue it could add up to $600 billion in government spending in the next fiscal year, directly contradicting DOGE’s mission of fiscal restraint.
Musk’s early resignation and public criticism mark a significant rift between two of the Republican Party’s most visible figures. While Musk’s time in government was always meant to be temporary, his departure underscores the challenges of aligning private-sector efficiency goals with public-sector fiscal policies.