Elon Musk Steps Down from Government Role, Remains Close Advisor to Donald Trump

After a controversial tenure leading the Office of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk has officially stepped away from the Trump administration, while reaffirming his commitment as an ally to the U.S. president.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, May 30, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX confirmed his departure from the government commission for budgetary reform—nicknamed the “Doge”—saying it was a “long-planned” decision. President Donald Trump, who had appointed Musk to the role months earlier, praised his involvement, calling him a “genius” and “one of the world’s greatest industrial leaders.”

Mixed Results and Behind-the-Scenes Tensions

Musk’s mandate was to rein in public spending, but the results fell far short of expectations: just $2 billion in savings versus the $2 trillion goal initially set. This vast discrepancy came as President Trump reiterated his ambition to cut $1 trillion in federal spending by 2026.

Tensions between the two men had been mounting in recent weeks, especially after Musk publicly criticized Trump’s massive budget bill, arguing that it “undermined” the commission’s work. “A bill can be big or beautiful,” Musk said in a CBS interview, “but I’m not sure it can be both.”

Personal Ties Remain Intact

Despite the policy disagreements and his official resignation, Musk emphasized his continued support: “I look forward to remaining a friend and advisor to the President.” Trump, for his part, presented Musk with a symbolic White House key as a gesture of gratitude, a token he has previously given to other world leaders.

The farewell comes amid renewed scrutiny of Musk’s personal behavior, with The New York Times alleging that during the campaign, he used ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms, traveling with a box full of pills. Trump dismissed the allegations as “vicious lies and slander” aimed at tarnishing Musk’s image.

A Strategic Exit—or a Temporary One?

While Musk stated his desire to refocus on his businesses—facing intense competition, particularly from European EV makers—Trump hinted that this may not be a permanent goodbye: “He’ll be back. The Doge is his baby,” he said.

Though officially out of government, Musk’s influence at the highest levels of U.S. leadership appears far from over.