Elon Musk has stepped down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) after just 129 days. This announcement came shortly after he was honored with a golden key by former President Trump during a press conference on May 30.
Since leaving his position, Musk has been vocal in his criticism of Trump’s budget bill, labeling it a "disgusting abomination." He expressed his disappointment on social media, saying, "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong." The bill has passed in the House, largely with Republican support, while most Democrats and some Republicans opposed it.
At a recent news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump responded to Musk’s criticisms, noting that Musk understood the bill better than most. He hinted that Musk’s objections might stem from cuts to electric vehicle subsidies, which could impact Tesla. Musk, however, denied that his concerns were personal or related to his business. He stated that he would prefer to keep the cuts to electric vehicle incentives but wanted to eliminate what he called "disgusting pork" from the bill.
In political circles, "pork" refers to unnecessary government spending that benefits specific groups or regions. Musk has been a significant supporter of Trump, reportedly contributing $250 million to his campaign efforts after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last year. He has also claimed credit for the Republican victories in the November elections, suggesting that without his influence, the outcome would have been different.
Recent analyses from the Congressional Budget Office indicate that the budget bill could increase the national debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, leaving around 11 million people without government-backed health insurance. The White House disputes these figures, arguing they do not account for revenue from increased tariffs.
During his time at Doge, Musk aimed to significantly cut government spending, leading to mass layoffs and the elimination of several departments, including the U.S. Agency for International Development. While he claims to have saved $180 billion, this figure has been challenged, and it falls short of his original goal of cutting spending by up to $2 trillion.