Elon Musk is wrapping up his stint as a special government employee. He’s been working with the Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to trim the fat in government spending. Musk’s tenure was marked by controversy – he didn’t mince words when it came to criticizing the old guard in government.
He even tweeted his thanks to President Trump, saying the DOGE mission would only get stronger. Musk’s time in the role was short-lived, just over four months. He’s been vocal about his efforts to reduce waste, but not everyone was a fan. Some high-ranking officials took issue with his approach.
Musk had some pretty public feuds with folks like Marco Rubio and Peter Navarro. He also suggested getting rid of remote work would lead to some “voluntary” resignations. Trump eventually weighed in, saying personnel decisions were up to the ministers, not Musk.
With his departure, Musk is shifting focus back to his businesses. Tesla’s sales have taken a hit, and investors are breathing down his neck. He’s acknowledged he might have overstepped as a non-elected official with a lot of power. Musk has said he’ll scale back his involvement in politics, after pouring nearly $300 million into Trump’s campaign and the Republican party.
The Department of Government Efficiency will keep on trucking, though. The Trump administration is looking to cut around 260,000 government jobs. Musk has left on a positive note, saying the DOGE mission will become a way of life in government.
What’s next for Musk?
He’ll likely be keeping busy with Tesla and his other ventures. Musk has a reputation for being a straight shooter, and his time in government was no exception. Love him or hate him, he’s always made headlines.
Reactions to Musk’s departure
Some are sad to see him go, while others are celebrating. One thing’s for sure – Musk’s impact on the government will be felt for a while. He might be done with politics for now, but he’s not going quietly into the night.
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