_Elon Musk" by Daniel Oberhaus (2018) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Washington D.C., May 28, 2025 — Elon Musk has announced his departure from the Trump administration, ending his 130-day role as a Special Government Employee focused on federal reform. His term was set to expire around May 30.

In a post on X, Musk thanked President Trump for the opportunity to reduce “wasteful spending” and said his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) would continue to grow as a concept. The White House confirmed his exit was underway, with off-boarding beginning on Wednesday evening. Sources said Musk did not have a formal discussion with Trump before leaving, and the decision came from senior staff.

Musk’s time in Washington was marked by clashes with officials, criticism of Trump’s tax plan, and frustration over slow progress. He had publicly called trade adviser Peter Navarro a “moron” and voiced concerns about bureaucracy and inefficiency in DC.

He also opposed a tech deal between OpenAI and Abu Dhabi, and was disappointed after spending $25 million on a failed judicial race. Despite pledging $100 million more to Trump-aligned groups before 2026, reports say the money hasn’t arrived. Having spent nearly $300 million on Republican causes last year, Musk recently said he will scale back. “I think I’ve done enough,” he told an economic forum in Qatar.

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