Elon Musk Quits Political Role Early After Slamming Trump’s Spending Bill

Credit: Getty Images

Elon Musk has abruptly stepped down from his short-term government role, just days before his planned exit. His departure follows harsh criticism of the Trump administration’s latest spending plan.

Musk Steps Down Early

Originally scheduled to leave on May 28, Musk resigned three days ahead of time. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO served as a Special Government Employee—a temporary role capped at 130 working days per year.

His exit came shortly after he publicly blasted what President Trump referred to as his “big, beautiful bill.”

“It Increases The Deficit”

During a CBS interview previewed on May 27, Musk voiced frustration with the legislation.

“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill,” he said. “Frankly, it increases the budget deficit, not decreases it, and undermines the work the DOGE team is doing.”

He added,

“A bill can be big or it can be beautiful… but I don’t know if it can be both.”

White House Reacts Swiftly

According to the BBC, Musk’s comments triggered the White House to fast-track his offboarding.

Musk confirmed his departure on X, writing:

“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I’d like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only grow stronger as it becomes a way of life across government.”

Trump Responds with a Meme

President Trump has yet to issue an official response. However, he did post a cryptic meme on Truth Social. It showed him walking alone down a dark street, captioned:

“He’s on a mission from God & nothing can stop what is coming.”

Inside the DOGE Mission

Musk wasn’t elected to office. Instead, he co-led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Their mission? Cut government waste, streamline bureaucracy, and slash costs. The team proposed:

• Massive layoffs

• Ending DEI initiatives

• Major cuts to the Department of Education

Musk even pledged to shut down the DOGE department entirely by July 4, 2026—to symbolically align with Independence Day.

The “Big, Beautiful Bill”

The controversial bill includes:

• Trillions in tax breaks

• Increased defense spending

• A new “Golden Dome” missile defense system

Although the bill narrowly passed the House, it still awaits Senate approval. Critics—including Musk—warn that it could add up to $600 billion in spending next year, directly opposing DOGE’s cost-cutting goals.

A Rift in the GOP?

Musk’s time in government was always meant to be short. Still, his early exit—and the public fallout—marks a major split between two of the Republican Party’s most high-profile figures.