The Rise of Doge and an Unlikely Political Alliance
Musk formally stepped down from his controversial role in the Trump administration, marking the end of a dramatic chapter in U.S. politics. In a post on his social media platform X, Musk confirmed his departure while vowing that the Department of Government Efficiency — known as Doge — would continue its mission.
This departure caps an intense period of political engagement for the billionaire tech mogul, who, after endorsing Donald Trump’s candidacy during a near-fatal rally in Pennsylvania, was tapped to head the newly created Doge department. His mandate was clear: slash federal waste, reduce regulations, and streamline operations — a Silicon Valley ethos brought to Washington.
From Rally Stages to Federal Restructuring
Musk’s pivot from entrepreneur to political reformer was as dramatic as it was divisive. Following Trump’s election win in late 2024, Musk was announced as the head of Doge — a department created with the explicit goal of dismantling what Trump and his allies called the “bloated bureaucracy.” Musk promised staggering savings: first $2 trillion, then halved to $1 trillion, and eventually revised down to a more realistic $150 billion.
What followed was one of the most aggressive federal downsizing campaigns in U.S. history. An estimated 260,000 federal workers were laid off or offered buyouts. Whole agencies were shuttered. Lawsuits, judicial blocks, and public protests followed in lockstep.
Inside Doge: The Bold Cuts, the Blunders, and the Backlash
The Department of Government Efficiency operated like a start-up — fast-moving, high-risk, and obsessed with disruption. But while some applauded its cost-cutting tenacity, the execution left many disillusioned. Several missteps, including the mistaken firing of key nuclear program employees, eroded public confidence.
At the center of it all was Musk — an unconventional figure in Washington, often donning a blazer over a black T-shirt at high-level meetings. He clashed with cabinet officials, scolded Trump’s budget proposals, and raised eyebrows when he criticized the very spending bill that defined Trump’s legislative strategy.
“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” Musk quipped in a CBS interview. “But I don’t know if it could be both.”
Despite the mounting tension, Musk remained at the helm until the final week of May, even as Tesla stock took a nosedive, vandalism hit showrooms, and shareholders demanded he return to his core businesses. A letter from activist investors at SOC Investment Group made it clear: focus on Tesla, or step aside.
Exit Strategy: A Gradual Retreat to the Private Sector
In hindsight, Musk’s exit from the Trump administration had been telegraphed for weeks. He gave multiple interviews citing exhaustion, overreach, and regret about getting too embroiled in politics. “I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics,” he admitted.
As lawsuits stacked up and Doge became the media’s favorite scapegoat for bureaucratic chaos, Musk’s priorities visibly shifted. He began to spend more time at Tesla, SpaceX, and his AI venture, xAI. Reports circulated that he was once again sleeping in Tesla factory offices and holding all-night meetings.
In one candid statement to The Washington Post, Musk said Doge had become “a whipping boy” for the administration’s failures — a role he no longer wished to play.
Musk Leaves, the Mission Remains
Musk’s departure from Doge is not just the end of a policy experiment — it’s the retreat of a disruptor whose presence electrified and polarized a political system. Yet, the legacy of Doge is still unfolding. Whether the department evolves or crumbles without its high-profile leader remains to be seen.
As for Musk, his future lies not in Washington but in the stars, in AI, and in the relentless pursuit of a technological utopia. In his own words, he is returning to “saving humanity” — a grandiose vision that includes Mars colonization, autonomous vehicles, and humanoid robots.
Still, for all the noise and controversy, Musk’s stint at Doge left an indelible mark: a radical reimagining of how government can function — or dysfunction — under the leadership of someone who believes that anything inefficient must be torn down.
As The Guardian succinctly noted: “Rather than dwell on a year of missed targets and intense backlash, Musk is back to selling a future where anything is possible.”
(With inputs from agency)
