Elon Musk has decided to step down from his role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump Administration, where he focused on efforts to streamline and improve the federal government. He announced his decision on May 28, 2025, via a post on X, his social media platform.
In his remarks, Musk conveyed his gratitude to President Trump for the chance to assist in cutting down on unnecessary government spending. He mentioned that the mission of his initiative, known as DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), would continue to grow as it becomes more integrated into government operations.
A representative from the White House confirmed Musk’s departure, requesting anonymity. This announcement came shortly after Musk publicly criticized a key piece of Trump’s legislative agenda, expressing disappointment in what the President referred to as his “big beautiful bill.” This legislation combines tax cuts with stricter immigration enforcement. In an interview with CBS, Musk described the bill as a “massive spending bill” that would increase the federal deficit and undermine the goals of DOGE.
Musk stated, “A bill can be big or beautiful, but I don’t think it can be both.” His interview aired the night before his announcement, and Trump defended his agenda in the Oval Office, acknowledging that while he was not entirely satisfied with certain aspects, he was pleased with others. He indicated that further changes to the bill might still be possible.
The bill has already passed through the House with Republican support and is currently being debated in the Senate. Musk’s concerns resonate with some Republican lawmakers, including Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who expressed understanding of Musk’s frustrations. Johnson mentioned that he believed there was enough opposition to slow down the bill until the President and party leadership took spending cuts more seriously.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged senators to keep changes to the legislation minimal, emphasizing that House Republicans had achieved a delicate balance that could be disrupted by significant alterations. If the Senate modifies the bill, the House will need to vote again for final approval.
On the day Musk revealed his resignation, Senator Johnson expressed his gratitude for Musk’s efforts and pledged to continue seeking additional budget reductions, mentioning that the House was prepared to implement DOGE’s suggestions. The White House is also proposing some spending cuts to Congress, including $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS, and $8.3 billion in foreign aid.
As Musk steps back from his government role, he plans to refocus on his companies, such as Tesla and SpaceX, and has indicated he will reduce his political contributions, believing he has done enough in that area. Looking back on his time in government, Musk acknowledged that the difficulties of changing the federal bureaucracy were more significant than he had expected. He had initially hoped DOGE would achieve $1 trillion in spending cuts, but it has not met that goal.
Musk had previously been enthusiastic about the opportunity to influence Washington, often wearing campaign hats in the White House and holding rallies to address excessive government spending. He had complimented Trump, stating, “The better I understand President Trump, the more I appreciate him.” Frankly, I love him.”
In return, Trump has called Musk “a truly great American.” When Tesla faced declining sales, Trump even showcased the company’s vehicles in the White House driveway to demonstrate his support.
It remains uncertain how Musk’s criticisms of the bill will affect the ongoing legislative discussions. Throughout the transition phase, he assisted in gathering resistance against a budget proposal when the government was close to shutting down. His recent comments may encourage Republicans who advocate for deeper spending cuts. Senator Mike Lee of Utah posted Musk’s interview on social media, claiming that there was still an opportunity to modify the legislation.
Only two Republicans, Representatives Warren Davidson from Ohio and Thomas Massie from Kentucky, voted against the bill when it was presented in the House last week. Davidson acknowledged Musk’s remarks on social media, expressing hope that the Senate would succeed where the House had fallen short.
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the tax changes in the bill could increase federal deficits by $3.8 trillion over the next decade, while cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and additional services could potentially save slightly more than $1 trillion during that timeframe. House Republican leaders argue that increased economic growth could make the bill deficit-neutral or even reduce the deficit, but outside analysts are skeptical. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget predicts that the bill could add $3 trillion to the national debt, including interest, over the next ten years.
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