Elon Musk Steps Down from Trump Administration Role Over Tax Dispute
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 29
- 3 min read
The billionaire departs quietly after tensions with Trump and key officials
Tone & Political Bias: Weakly Left-Leaning
Why: The article highlights Musk's criticism of Trump’s tax bill, internal White House tensions, and implies bureaucratic dysfunction, while quoting criticism without balancing views from Trump allies.
Musk Confirms Exit from Government Role
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and the world’s richest man, has announced that he is leaving his position in the Trump administration as a Special Government Employee. The role, granted with unusually broad authority to cut government waste, officially ends around May 30, according to Musk and White House confirmation.
Musk made the announcement via his platform X, formerly Twitter.
“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 posted.
He also reaffirmed support for his initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), saying:
“The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
White House Confirms Quiet Departure
A White House official told Reuters that Musk’s departure was accurate and his off-boarding began Wednesday night. According to sources familiar with the matter, Musk did not speak directly to Trump before announcing his decision. The move was coordinated at a senior staff level.
Musk had referred to himself as Trump’s “first buddy” in the administration. His exit, however, lacked ceremony and comes amid growing internal friction.
Internal Conflicts and Policy Criticism
Over recent weeks, Musk had grown increasingly vocal about his frustration with Trump’s fiscal policies and bureaucratic resistance. His primary concern was the president’s new tax bill, which Musk claimed would undermine DOGE’s efforts.
“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 DC, to say the least.”
Musk also criticized the administration for scapegoating DOGE when things went wrong in the White House, calling it a “whipping boy.”
In addition, he clashed with Trump adviser Peter Navarro, calling him a “moron” over disagreements about trade policy. Musk advocated for zero tariffs between the U.S. and Europe—an idea Navarro dismissed.
Frustration with The OpenAI Deal and Political Spending
Tensions extended beyond Washington. Musk was reportedly upset over a deal between Abu Dhabi and OpenAI, led by his AI rival Sam Altman. According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk attempted to derail the agreement unless his own company was included.
Musk also expressed disappointment after spending $25 million on a failed judicial race in Wisconsin. This contributed to what insiders described as his growing "disillusionment" with politics.
Despite previously pledging to donate $100 million to Trump-aligned groups before the 2026 midterms, that funding had not materialized as of this week.
In early May, Musk signaled that he would significantly reduce political donations going forward.
“I think I’ve done enough,” he said at an economic forum in Qatar.
DOGE’s Legacy and Workforce Cuts
Despite his exit, both Musk and the administration stated that DOGE’s mission will continue. Under DOGE and Trump’s broader efforts, the federal civilian workforce has reportedly been reduced by about 12%—roughly 260,000 positions—through buyouts, early retirements, and firings.
Musk’s tenure in government, lasting 130 days, marked one of the most high-profile non-elected appointments in recent history. His departure now raises questions about the future direction of the DOGE program and its impact on federal agencies.