Mission Accomplished: Elon Musk Steps Down as DOGE Chief After Slashing $1 Trillion in Waste

Elon Musk has officially begun his departure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), marking the end of his 130-day stint as a “special government employee” tasked with rooting out federal waste and fraud. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO announced his exit on X, thanking President Donald Trump for the opportunity to streamline government spending. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” Musk wrote. The White House confirmed his transition, noting that DOGE—a temporary agency established by Trump’s January executive order—will dissolve on July 4, 2026, with Musk’s core deficit-cutting goals already achieved.

Musk’s tenure was always intended to be short but explosive, with DOGE uncovering what Trump called “numbers that nobody can even believe.” Though Democrats protested his involvement, Musk’s aggressive audits identified over $1 trillion in savings, fulfilling his promise to “reduce the deficit” within his limited timeframe. Trump praised Musk’s work but acknowledged, “He’s got a big company to run.” Moving forward, Musk plans to refocus on Tesla while advising the administration part-time. His departure leaves DOGE in the hands of acting administrator Amy Gleason, a tech policy veteran, as the agency continues enforcing Musk’s efficiency reforms.