According to g1,After cutting over 260,000 federal employees and facing intense backlash, Elon Musk stepped down from the Department of Government Efficiency and publicly criticized Trump’s economic plan.
Elon Musk has announced the end of his role as a Special Government Advisor in the U.S., a voluntary position he held for 130 days. Leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he oversaw mass layoffs — over 260,000 public servants — in an attempt to slim down federal operations.
But why did Musk abandon Trump’s government?
Here are the 5 main reasons:
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Criticism of Trump’s Economic Plan
Musk expressed public disappointment with Trump’s proposed multi-trillion-dollar tax cuts, which he argued would worsen the federal deficit and undermine DOGE’s cost-saving efforts. -
Tesla Crisis and Investor Pressure
Tesla faced falling profits and stock instability. Musk informed investors that he needed to step away from government duties to save the company — prompting a mild recovery in share value. -
Boycotts, Protests, and Vandalism
The layoffs triggered nationwide protests. Tesla dealerships were vandalized, and threats prompted the U.S. Attorney General to label the attacks as “domestic terrorism.” -
Severe Layoff Missteps
DOGE’s aggressive cuts affected even critical staff, including those tied to U.S. nuclear programs. This led to legal interventions demanding the immediate rehiring of certain officials. -
Warning Signs from the White House
Trump had hinted Musk’s departure was imminent. Though publicly thankful, the former president said Musk was “unfairly treated by the public,” but “it was time to let him go.”
Conclusion
Musk entered politics as a “billionaire reformer” but exited battered, controversial, and with Tesla on shaky ground. His government stint was brief, radical, and deeply polarizing — leaving behind a lingering question:
Will Elon Musk return to government... or was this his final dance with American politics?