Elon Musk Abruptly Resigns from Political Post, Slams Trump’s Fiscal Agenda
Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his brief stint in politics, voicing sharp criticism of the Trump administration’s latest fiscal plan. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO had been serving in a temporary advisory role as a Special Government Employee, limited to 130 working days per year. Though his term was set to conclude on May 28, Musk chose to resign three days early.
The decision came in the wake of his public rebuke of what President Trump enthusiastically labeled his “big, beautiful bill.” In a CBS interview preview aired on May 27, Musk didn’t hold back.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill,” Musk said. “Frankly, it increases the budget deficit, not decreases it, and undermines the work the DOGE team is doing.”
He added with characteristic wit, “I think a bill can be big, or it can be beautiful… but I don’t know if it can be both.”
Following his remarks, the BBC reported that the White House initiated Musk’s early offboarding.
Musk confirmed the move on X (formerly Twitter), 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.”
While the White House remains silent on Musk’s departure, Trump has yet to issue an official response. However, a cryptic meme posted on Truth Social has sparked speculation. The post features the president walking alone down a shadowy street, accompanied by the caption:
“He’s on a mission from God & nothing can stop what is coming.”
Inside Musk’s Role and the Controversial “Big, Beautiful Bill”
Though Elon Musk’s position was never an elected one, he co-led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside entrepreneur and former presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy. Their ambitious mission? Slash government waste, streamline the bureaucracy, and drastically cut costs. Their bold blueprint included sweeping measures like mass layoffs, dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and imposing major cuts to the Department of Education.
Musk had even pledged to shut down DOGE entirely by July 4, 2026 — a symbolic deadline meant to coincide with America’s Independence Day, underscoring his vision of fiscal freedom.
What Exactly Is the “Big, Beautiful Bill”?
The latest spending bill that sparked Musk’s ire features enormous hikes in defense funding, tax breaks totaling trillions, and President Trump’s ambitious “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
While the bill narrowly squeaked through the House of Representatives, it still awaits Senate approval. Critics—including Musk himself—warn it could add a staggering $600 billion to government expenditures next fiscal year, standing in stark opposition to DOGE’s mission of ruthless fiscal discipline.
Although Musk’s government role was always temporary, his early exit and public rebuke signal a rare and highly visible split between two of the Republican Party’s most prominent figures.
