Musk leaves Trump administration after bill criticism
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Elon Musk is leaving his US government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy.
The billionaire tech entrepreneur posted about his decision on X, his social media website.
“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 wasteful spending,” he wrote.
“The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
A White House official confirmed Reuters on Wednesday night that Musk is leaving the administration and his “off-boarding will begin tonight.”
His departure was quick and unceremonious. He did not have a formal conversation with Trump before announcing his departure, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, who added that his exit was decided “at a senior staff level.”
Musk’s departure comes one day after he criticised the centrepiece of Trump’s legislative agenda, saying he was “disappointed” by what the president calls his “big beautiful bill.”
The legislation includes a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement.
While speaking to CBS, Musk described it as a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and “undermines the work” of his Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.
“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” Musk said. “But I don’t know if it could be both.”
Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, defended his agenda by talking about the delicate politics involved with negotiating the legislation.
“I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it,” he said.
Trump also suggested that more changes could be made.
“We’re going to see what happens,” he said. “It’s got a way to go.”
Musk’s 130-day mandate as a special government employee in the Trump administration was set to expire around May 30. The administration has said DOGE’s efforts to restructure and shrink the federal government will continue.
Trump and DOGE have managed to cut nearly 12 per cent, or 260,000, of the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce largely through threats of firings, buyouts and early retirement offers, a Reuters review of agency departures found.
Speaker Mike Johnson thanked Musk for his work and promised to pursue more spending cuts in the future, saying “the House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings.”
Musk’s criticism comes as he steps back from his government work, rededicating himself to companies like the electric automaker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX.
Having spent nearly $US300 million to back Trump’s presidential campaign and other Republicans last year, Musk said earlier this month he would substantially cut his political spending.
“I think I’ve done enough,” he told an economic forum in Qatar.
with Reuters and DPA
AP
