Elon Musk Leaves DOGE After Leading Trump’s Bold Efficiency Role

Elon Musk Leaves DOGE Post Completion of Government Reform Mandate

Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ending his 130-day term as a Special Government Employee. Musk announced his departure on X (formerly Twitter), thanking President Donald Trump for the opportunity to help reduce wasteful spending. He also said the DOGE mission will “only grow stronger over time as it becomes a way of life for the entire government.” 

Source: Elon Musk

His exit is not due to any personal fallout with Trump, despite what some media outlets have claimed. In fact, the role of a Special Government Employee is legally limited to 130 days of service within a year. Since Musk began on January 20, 2025, his time was set to end around May 30. 

What Is DOGE and What Did Musk Do?

DOGE, short for the Department of Government Efficiency, was created by President Trump in January 2025 to modernize government systems and reduce unnecessary costs. Musk led the department with bold reforms, claiming savings of $160 billion. These included canceling wasteful contracts, digitizing federal retirement systems, and streamlining outdated operations.

One of the most talked-about efforts was the digitization of the Office of Personnel Management’s retirement processing, which had long relied on paper systems. The department asked OPM to pay for 20 top-level employees and provide direct access to its systems and data. The total cost for this modernization project was anticipated at $4.1 million through July 2026. DOGE also reviewed and cleaned up Social Security records and proposed steps to improve voter integrity.

Key Achievements and Controversy

Although Elon's team claimed big achievements, others questioned the true value of the department's actions. Experts state that the legit savings may be closer to $10 billion after providing for lost productivity, legal costs and public service disruptions. More than 200 lawsuits have been filed against the department’s actions, and critics say the rapid changes resulted in confusion and hampered essential services.

At the same time, Musk’s close involvement with politics raised questions among Tesla investors. Company’s stock has dropped by 25% from January 2025, and reports show a 20% decrease in Quarter 1 vehicle sales. Some shareholders are concerned that Elon’s political responsibility has distracted him from managing his businesses. 

DOGE and Dogecoin Confusion

Despite the name, DOGE has nothing to do with Dogecoin, the popular meme cryptocurrency that Musk has often promoted. Musk clarified this at a recent town hall in March, saying the department’s name came from internet suggestions and was meant to bring humor to a serious mission. Still, the department's website once displayed the Dogecoin mascot, which briefly pushed the coin’s price up 14%. As of writing, the currency is currently trading at $0.2252 with an increase of 1.08% within the last 24 hours as per CoinMarketCap. 

What’s Next?

As Elon leaves behind his temporary position, discussion rages on whether DOGE will be an ultimate blessing or a curse. Some maintain it was beneficial in shaking up outdated systems, while others opine that it caused more chaos than problems solved. The department remains under legal scrutiny, and no one knows how much of Musk's vision will carry on without him at the reins.

Although Musk's stint in government is apparently done for now, his influence on Washington, and the increasing connection between politics and tech, is hardly over.