Elon Musk has officially stepped down from the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), marking a major shift in federal cost-cutting efforts. Despite the resignation, the mood during the press conference held in the Oval Office on Friday (May 30) was positive, with President Trump praising Musk for the fantastic work he had done.
During Musk’s tenure, D.O.G.E successfully cut approximately 260,000 federal jobs—around 12% of the total government workforce. However, the original savings target of US$2 trillion was eventually scaled down to US$150 billion, as it was deemed overly ambitious.
Trump presented Musk with a golden key, which he said is only given to very special individuals. Musk stated that he will continue to advise the president, and Trump clarified that Musk is not completely stepping away from his role.
Political responses were mixed, with concerns that budget reform may lose momentum. Some questioned whether future budget cuts could be effective without Musk’s direct leadership.
Musk’s decision to refocus on his core business at Tesla had a positive impact on the company’s stock, even though Tesla’s net income had declined. His resignation highlights the significant challenges of managing government efficiency under intense budgetary pressure.
What do you think? Will Musk’s departure slow down budget reform — or has he already laid a foundation strong enough to continue without him? 🗝️🇺🇸
