Elon Musk Ends Tenure as US Special Government Employee, Departs DOGE

Elon Musk, the tech magnate and billionaire, has officially confirmed the end of his tenure as a U.S. special government employee. This move signals his departure from the de-facto leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an organization aimed at aggressively cutting U.S. government spending. Musk announced his decision on Wednesday.

In a statement, Musk thanked U.S. President Donald Trump “for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.” He also expressed optimism for the future of DOGE’s mission: “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”

Musk’s exit comes amid reports of a potentially strained relationship with the Trump administration. Furthermore, Tesla sales have reportedly been impacted by his political activities and alignment with President Trump, leading to a negative effect on the brand.

Since its inception, DOGE has implemented significant cuts to U.S. government spending. These cuts have led to numerous job losses, the closure of entire departments, and considerable litigation. DOGE’s targets included USAID spending, public broadcasters, national park budgets, and the Department of Education, among others.

Neither Elon Musk nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment.