Elon Musk Resigns from DOGE Amid Criticism and Legal Troubles
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced his resignation from his controversial post as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a role he had taken up under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The departure follows mounting public scrutiny, political clashes, and an onslaught of legal challenges.
Musk confirmed the news via a brief statement, thanking President Trump for the “opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” and declared that DOGE would live on as “a way of life” in government operations.
However, Musk’s sudden exit comes just a day after he publicly criticized Trump for the first time. In reference to the President’s latest multi-trillion dollar budget package—labeled the “big, beautiful” spending bill—Musk remarked:
“A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion.”
This subtle yet sharp criticism marked a notable shift from Musk’s previously unwavering support for Trump. Musk had been one of the President’s largest campaign donors in the 2024 election and was frequently seen accompanying him on pre-election tours.
DOGE’s Controversial Legacy
During his tenure as head of DOGE, Musk implemented sweeping government cuts that eliminated tens of thousands of federal jobs and restructured numerous departments. While supporters praised the shake-up as long overdue, critics condemned the mass layoffs and accused DOGE of overreach and poor execution.
By April, Musk began signaling his discontent with the role. In various interviews, he described DOGE as a “whipping boy” for broader dissatisfaction with the administration. He also admitted that the initiative fell short of many of its key goals.
Mounting Legal Woes
In a significant blow to his political experiment, a U.S. District Court judge ruled last week that Musk must face a lawsuit related to his alleged misuse of power while leading DOGE. The lawsuit accuses Musk of bypassing legal protocols to gain access to sensitive government systems and databases, including personal and financial data belonging to millions of Americans.
Legal observers believe this could evolve into a major court battle that not only threatens Musk personally but may also set legal precedents concerning private individuals heading federal initiatives.
Business Troubles Add Pressure
Musk’s decision to step away from government coincides with growing challenges at both Tesla and SpaceX. Tesla’s stock has taken a notable hit in recent weeks, amid reports of dealership mismanagement and falling consumer confidence. Meanwhile, SpaceX experienced a major setback when its ninth Starship flight ended in a fiery explosion over the Indian Ocean, sparking public outrage and renewed criticism of the company’s safety protocols.
In response to mounting backlash, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“As evidenced by the X uptime issues this week, major operational improvements need to be made.”
With DOGE behind him, Musk is now expected to return his full focus to his business empire. However, between legal entanglements and operational hiccups, the road ahead looks far from smooth for one of the world’s most polarizing entrepreneurs.
