Illustration demonstrating the concept of cutting through bureaucratic processes.
Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his advisory role at DOGE, following backlash over the initiative’s impact on federal employment and environmental budgets. Despite initial support from Donald Trump, the program faced criticism for its drastic cuts and negative social implications. Musk’s departure raises questions about DOGE’s future and his ongoing ventures with Tesla and SpaceX, especially after a significant drop in Tesla’s profits and Musk’s personal net worth.
In the early days of October 2024, the relationship between **_Elon Musk_** and **_Donald Trump_** seemed as solid as a rock. Trump dubbed Musk a **_“truly incredible guy,”_** and their camaraderie led to Musk investing a staggering **_$288 million_** into supporting Trump and his political endeavors. The two even shared moments in Cabinet meetings and the Oval Office, where Musk humorously labeled himself the **_“first buddy.”_**
But as time passed, Musk’s efforts to streamline the federal government under his initiative known as **_DOGE_** (Department of Government Efficiency) garnered much chatter and not all of it was positive.
DOGE was Musk’s brainchild aimed at slashing through bureaucratic red tape. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2025, Musk passionately presented DOGE’s initiatives as a **_“chainsaw for bureaucracy.”_** However, within just four months, the initiative led to the termination or buyout of **_250,000 federal employees_** and significant cuts to environmental agency budgets, all while warnings about climate change echoed loudly.
The response to DOGE was nothing short of astounding. It sparked **_violence and lawsuits_**, coupled with mandatory re-hiring actions and strong pushback from federal workers. Meanwhile, Musk’s most famous company, Tesla, saw an eye-popping **_71% drop in profits_**, and Musk’s net worth plummeted by a whopping **_$100 billion_** as a result of staying involved with DOGE.
Interestingly, Musk announced he was stepping away from Washington D.C. a month ago, but he hinted he’d still contribute to DOGE on a part-time basis. However, during a rather revealing interview at SpaceX in Texas, Musk didn’t shy away from acknowledging the stress he faced due to the criticism surrounding DOGE.
As pressure mounted, Musk remarked that DOGE had turned into a **_scapegoat_** for a multitude of government and social issues. Many began pointing fingers at DOGE for the cutbacks they feared might eventually impact vital services such as Social Security. Although Musk initially aimed for **_savings of $2 trillion_**, his final claims stood at **_$175 billion_**—a far cry from his original projection.
Musk also directed his ire at Trump’s new spending bill, proclaiming it undermined DOGE’s mission and would exacerbate the federal deficit. Despite Musk’s concerns, Trump was quick to applaud Musk’s contributions to DOGE, attempting to smooth over any potential rifts between them.
As Musk’s critiques gained traction, he officially announced his resignation after **_130 days_** of service, stating it was the end of his advisory role. However, Trump suggested that Musk would continue to lend his expertise and guidance to DOGE in some capacity.
With his political involvement fading, Musk shifted focus back to his beloved businesses including **_Tesla, SpaceX,_** and **_Neuralink_**. SpaceX, a core element of Musk’s vision for a multi-planetary humanity, faced its own set of challenges recently: multiple failed Starship test launches. In a stand-out moment, a recent Starship flight plummeted out of control but thankfully managed to avoid a catastrophic explosion.
Yet, amid this turbulent period, questions arose regarding the savings heralded by DOGE. Reports emerged estimating the actual cuts to be around **_$19 billion_**, starkly contrasting Musk’s claims and adding fuel to the fire of skepticism.
The initial enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the DOGE initiative have since fizzled, largely due to lawsuits, political backlash, and an unmistakable dip in Tesla’s sales, seemingly linked to Musk’s fierce political engagement.
With Musk’s departure, many are left wondering about the future of both DOGE and Musk’s broad ambitions in the realms of business and space.
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