Tech billionaire and CEO of X, Elon Musk’s brief stint as a government adviser in Washington has come to an end.
“My scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end,” Musk wrote on Wednesday on his platform X (formerly Twitter). U.S. regulations limit such employees to 130 days of service each year. Musk’s term concluded at the end of May.
Some media reports had suggested that former President Donald Trump’s circle considered extending Musk’s role by transitioning him to part-time status. However, no such move was confirmed.
Shift in Priorities
Musk’s advisory role to Trump had already been scaled back in recent weeks. Over a month ago, Musk said he would reduce his involvement in government efforts, opting to spend “significantly” more time focusing on Tesla, his electric vehicle company.
The decision comes amid declining sales at Tesla. The company has faced backlash from some customers, reportedly over Musk’s alignment with Trump’s political agenda. According to recent data, Tesla’s new passenger car registrations in the European Union fell by more than 50% in April — even as overall EU car registrations rose for the first time this year.
Musk indicated he might still dedicate one or two days per week to government work if requested. However, Trump has reportedly accepted Musk’s decision to step back. “We have to let him go,” Trump was quoted as saying, acknowledging Musk’s responsibilities at Tesla, SpaceX, and X.
$160 Billion in Savings?
While Musk did not officially lead the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he became the public face of its cost-cutting campaign. Musk claims the department saved around $160 billion in government spending.
“I thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk said on X.
Critics, however, dispute the savings figure. Some analysts argue that the total may include double-counted reductions or savings that predated DOGE’s creation. Musk had previously said he aimed to cut $2 trillion in federal spending.
Controversial Legacy
Musk’s work in Washington has been highly polarizing. His reported role in eliminating the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) drew significant backlash. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates even accused Musk of contributing to the potential deaths of millions of children in low-income countries due to cuts in development aid.
Musk’s political stance and Washington actions are believed to be among the reasons some consumers have stopped buying Teslas in the U.S.
Subtle Criticism Emerges
Now out of his government role, Musk has begun to voice mild criticism of Trump-era policies. In an interview with CBS, he expressed his disappointment with the tax cut package recently passed by the House of Representatives, arguing that it undermines DOGE’s cost-saving mission.
The tax proposal still awaits a vote in the Senate, where it faces opposition — including from some Republicans.
