Where else but X would Elon Musk announce the end of his tenure as a “special employee” of the U.S. government? For the past four months, the tech magnate led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a name that reflects both his characteristic irreverence and the surreal nature of his time in public office. While he didn’t achieve all his goals, the damage left behind by his short-lived reign is still being counted. “The DOGE mission will only grow stronger with time, becoming a way of life across government,” Musk wrote in his farewell post.
Both he and Donald Trump have insisted that his departure is due to term limits imposed on his temporary government role. Technically true, but also part of a carefully spun narrative. After all, if Musk had really wanted to stay, does anyone believe Trump wouldn’t have found a way to keep him on board? Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, also happens to be the biggest individual political donor in U.S. history. With midterms approaching, Trump will need him and his wallet close.
But the real reason Musk is leaving may be more self-interested: he’s realized there can only be one president—friend or not—and that neglecting Tesla and SpaceX any longer could put his vast fortune at risk.
Beyond the public excuses, such as his alleged opposition to Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” Musk had already been hinting at stepping back from the political spotlight. As media scrutiny intensified, Tesla’s profits plummeted. Investor confidence dropped as sharply as the number of government employees laid off or departments eliminated by DOGE. By early May, Tesla’s board warned Musk to spend more time at the company—and according to The Wall Street Journal, even began searching for a new CEO.
In recent days, Musk has expressed frustration over viral videos of people setting Tesla vehicles on fire. And not just in the U.S.—in Europe too, where his unapologetic support for far-right parties in Britain and Germany has alienated many customers.
SpaceX hasn’t fared much better. Two Starship rockets, the centerpiece of Musk’s space ambitions, exploded during their January and March launches. Just days ago, another test flight reached space but failed to return. A leak sent the rocket spinning uncontrollably until it disintegrated. Luckily, the mission was uncrewed.
Meanwhile, his AI company xAI is also feeling the heat. As rivals advance rapidly, Musk recently tried to block a deal between OpenAI and the United Arab Emirates to build a massive data center in Abu Dhabi. According to The New York Times, Musk even lobbied White House AI advisor David Sacks, arguing that Trump should only allow the deal if xAI were included. His efforts failed, and the agreement proceeded as planned—without him.
Musk may be stepping away, but his influence lingers. The consequences of his four-month stint at DOGE are vast. His budget cuts not only left thousands jobless, but may paradoxically worsen the national deficit he claims to oppose. One of his most controversial moves was backing the elimination of USAID, the U.S. international development agency—an act that could condemn millions to deeper poverty, or worse.
Even with lost contracts like the one in Abu Dhabi, Musk has leveraged his government ties to access sensitive data—not just on American citizens, but on rival corporations. And DOGE? It’s still alive. Musk loyalists remain in key federal agencies. Among them is a 19-year-old known as “Big Balls,” who, according to a Reuters investigation, supported a cybercrime group that harassed FBI agents and trafficked stolen data.
This week, Musk and Trump staged a farewell event meant to squash rumors of a rift. Both insisted that DOGE’s first four months were merely the beginning. “The DOGE team will grow stronger. It’s like Buddhism. A way of life,” said Musk. Trump was more blunt: “Elon’s not really leaving. He’ll be coming and going.”
Whether or not he’s aiming for Mars, Musk is far from finished with Washington. His business empire depends on it.
