Elon Musk Steps Down from Government Role, Criticizes Trump’s Spending Bill
Elon Musk has officially ended his tenure as a top government adviser to President Donald Trump, concluding his time as a Special Government Employee focused on reducing federal bureaucracy. Musk shared the news in a statement posted Wednesday on X, the social media platform he owns.
“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,” Musk wrote. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
White House Confirms Musk’s Departure
A White House official, speaking anonymously, confirmed Musk’s departure from his advisory role. The exit comes shortly after Musk publicly criticized Trump’s flagship legislative proposal—dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill"—which includes significant tax cuts and stricter immigration enforcement measures.
In an interview with CBS, Musk described the bill as a “massive spending measure” that increases the federal deficit and undermines the goals of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative he helped lead.
“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,” Musk said. “But I don’t know if it can be both.”
Trump Responds, Defends Legislative Agenda
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump acknowledged mixed feelings about the bill, but defended its overall direction.
“I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects,” he said. “We’re going to see what happens—it’s got a way to go.”
The bill has already passed the House and is currently under debate in the Senate.
GOP Lawmakers Echo Musk’s Concerns
Musk’s criticism has found support among some Republican lawmakers. At an event in Milwaukee, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin expressed agreement with Musk’s concerns about fiscal responsibility.
“I sympathize with Elon being discouraged,” Johnson said, adding that there is likely enough opposition to delay the process until leadership gets serious about spending cuts.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also praised Musk’s efforts and pledged to continue DOGE’s mission, saying, “The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings.”
The White House plans to submit a rescissions package to Congress to formally cancel certain approved expenditures. The proposal includes:
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$1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS)
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$8.3 billion in foreign assistance cuts
Musk Refocuses on Tesla, SpaceX, and Less Politics
As he steps away from government service, Musk said he will shift his focus back to his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, and plans to reduce his political involvement.
“I think I’ve done enough,” he noted, referring to his contributions in Washington.
Although Musk once hoped to save $1 trillion through DOGE, he admitted that progress fell short due to deeper-than-expected challenges in the federal bureaucracy.
“The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized,” Musk told The Washington Post. “It’s an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C.”
Previously enthusiastic about political reform, Musk often praised President Trump and championed government efficiency efforts with visible passion—including donning campaign hats and holding public rallies.
“The more I’ve gotten to know President Trump, the more I like the guy,” Musk said earlier this year. “Frankly, I love him.”
In return, Trump has publicly applauded Musk, even turning the White House driveway into a Tesla showroom during a challenging sales period for the automaker.
Impact on Legislative Debate Unclear
It remains uncertain whether Musk’s criticism will influence the ongoing Senate debate over the spending bill. However, his remarks may bolster GOP resistance to expansive federal spending.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah responded to Musk’s comments by promising a more “aggressive” Senate version of the bill, stating:
“It can, it must, and it will be. Or it won’t pass.”
Only two House Republicans—Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Thomas Massie (Kentucky)—voted against the original bill. Davidson referenced Musk’s stance in a recent post on X, urging the Senate to act boldly where the House fell short.
“Don’t hope someone else will cut deficits someday—know it has been done this Congress,” Davidson wrote.
Budget Office Warns of Growing Deficit
A preliminary estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects the bill’s tax cuts would increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion over the next decade. Proposed reductions in Medicaid, food stamps, and other services would only offset that by about $1 trillion.
Despite leadership claims that economic growth will make the bill deficit-neutral, independent watchdogs remain skeptical. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates the legislation would add $3 trillion in debt, including interest, over 10 years.
Tags: Elon Musk Government Role, Trump Spending Bill, DOGE Initiative, Federal Deficit, Tesla, SpaceX, U.S. Politics 2025