Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his role as a special government employee in the Trump administration, concluding his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after approximately five months. His departure aligns with the 130-day service limit for such positions and follows his public criticism of President Trump's recent tax bill, which Musk argued undermines DOGE's cost-cutting objectives .
During his tenure, Musk aimed to achieve $2 trillion in federal spending cuts but managed to realize only about $160 billion, a figure that has been met with skepticism regarding its accuracy . His aggressive approach led to significant federal workforce reductions and sparked widespread protests, notably the "Tesla Takedown" movement, which targeted Musk's business ventures in response to his political involvement .
Musk's exit has prompted speculation about potential successors, with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy being a prominent candidate . Despite stepping down, Musk expressed confidence that DOGE's mission will persist, stating that its objectives will "only strengthen over time" .
Interestingly, Musk's departure coincided with an 8.2% surge in Dogecoin's price, highlighting his continued influence on the cryptocurrency market .