Domestic Affairs

Elon Musk Steps Away from DOGE and the Trump Administration

Michael Frick

29 May 2025 — 7 min read

Introduction

Elon Musk, the high-profile CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has officially stepped down from his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and is departing from his advisory position within the Trump administration. Musk’s tenure, which began on Inauguration Day 2025, was marked by sweeping attempts to overhaul federal bureaucracy, cut government spending, and inject private-sector efficiency into Washington. His departure, confirmed by both Musk and the White House, comes at the conclusion of his legally limited 130-day appointment as a special government employee, but is also colored by recent public disagreements with administration officials and criticism of key Trump policies. This report examines Musk’s time in government, the mission and impact of DOGE, the circumstances of his exit, and the broader implications for U.S. governance and Musk’s business empire.

The Genesis of DOGE and Musk’s Appointment

The Creation of DOGE

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was established by President Trump via executive order on January 20, 2025, as a cross-departmental initiative to streamline federal operations, root out waste, and modernize government functions. DOGE’s creation was a signature move for the second Trump administration, reflecting a campaign promise to “drain the swamp” and bring private-sector discipline to public spending. The office was designed to be temporary, with a sunset date of July 4, 2026.

Elon Musk Calls Trump Megabill a ‘Disgusting Abomination’: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and former head of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has launched a scathing critique of President Donald Trump’s flagship legislative initiative—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In a series of social media posts and interviews, Musk denounced the

Trump Administration’s $425 Billion Funding Freeze: An Assault on Congressional Spending Authority

Introduction Congressional Democrats have unveiled an updated report documenting the Trump administration’s unprecedented withholding of $425 billion in federal funds legally appropriated by Congress. The blocked funding spans critical programs—from disaster relief and cancer research to small-business grants and public health initiatives—igniting a constitutional clash over the

OECD Slashes U.S. Growth Forecast Amid Tariff Turmoil: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has delivered a stark warning about the trajectory of the U.S. economy, slashing its 2025 growth forecast to 1.6%—a significant downward revision from the 2.1% projected in March 2025. This adjustment, detailed in the OECD’s June

Ukraine’s Underwater Strike on the Kerch Bridge: A Strategic Blow to Russian Logistics and Symbolism

The early hours of June 1, 2025, witnessed a daring Ukrainian operation targeting the Kerch Bridge, a 19-kilometer structure connecting Russia to Crimea. This third assault on the bridge since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 marked a new frontier in asymmetric warfare, leveraging covert underwater sabotage to cripple a