Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration After Criticizing President's 'Big Beautiful Bill'

Elon Musk is quitting his government position as President Donald Trump's senior adviser after leading efforts to shrink and reform the federal bureaucracy. 

On Wednesday (May 28, 2025), the wealthy entrepreneur announced his choice on X, his social media platform.

"As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," he posted on Instagram.  "The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

A White House official, who sought anonymity to discuss the situation, confirmed Mr Musk's departure.

Mr. Musk's exit comes one day after he criticized the centerpiece of Mr. Trump's legislative program, claiming he was "disappointed" by what the President refers to as his "big beautiful bill." 

The bill features a combination of tax cuts and more immigration enforcement.  While speaking with CBS, Mr Musk described it as a "massive spending bill" that raises the government debt and "undermines the work" of his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

"I believe a bill can be big or beautiful," Mr Musk stated.  "But I don't know if it could be both."

His CBS interview aired on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) night.  Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), Mr Trump justified his plan by citing the sensitive politics involved in passing the legislation.

"I'm not happy about certain aspects of it, but I'm thrilled by other aspects of it," he told me. 

Mr Trump also suggested that other modifications may be made.

"We're going to see what happens," he told me.  "It's got a way to go."

Republicans recently passed the measure in the House and are now debating it in the Senate.

Some Republican lawmakers share Mr Musk's fears.  "I sympathize with Elon being discouraged," remarked Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson.

Speaking at a Milwaukee Press Club event on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), Mr Johnson stated that he was "pretty confident" that there was enough resistance "to slow this process down until the president, our leadership, gets serious" about cutting spending.  He claimed that no amount of pressure from Mr Trump could persuade him to change his position. 

Speaker Mike Johnson has requested senators to make as few modifications to the legislation as possible, claiming that House Republicans struck a "very delicate balance" that might be thrown off by significant alterations.  The narrowly divided House will have to vote again on ultimate passage if the Senate changes the bill.

On Wednesday (May 28, 2025), Mr Johnson congratulated Mr Musk for his efforts. He promised to pursue additional spending cutbacks in the future, stating, "The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE's findings." 

The White House is submitting some planned rescissions, which are used to rescind previously authorized spending, to Capitol Hill in order to formalize some of DOGE's cuts.  A representative for the Office of Management and Budget stated that the package will contain $1.1 billion from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which pays NPR and PBS, as well as $8.3 billion in international assistance. 

Mr Musk's criticism comes as he transitions away from government work and focuses on enterprises such as Tesla and SpaceX.  He has also stated that he will cut his political spending because "I think I've done enough."

His experience working in government has sometimes made him appear chastened.  Although he anticipated DOGE would result in $1 trillion in spending cutbacks, he has fallen far short of that goal. 

"The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized," he told The Washington Post.  "I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least."

The possibility of transforming Washington had previously inspired Mr Musk.  He wore campaign caps in the White House, organized his campaign rallies, and described excessive spending as an existential crisis.  He was typically effusive in his admiration for Mr Trump. 

"The more I've gotten to know President Trump, the more I like the guy," Musk remarked in February.  "Frankly, I love him."

Mr Trump returned the favor, calling Musk as "a truly great American."  When Tesla's sales were dropping, he converted the White House driveway into a makeshift showroom to show his support. 

His recent critique may boost Republicans who demand more expenditure cutbacks.  Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee shared a Fox News piece on Musk's interview and added his thoughts on the measure, saying there was "still time to fix it."

"The Senate version will be more aggressive," Mr. Lee explained.  "It's possible, necessary, and inevitable.  "Or it will not pass." 

When the House debated the bill last week, only two Republicans voted against it: Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

 Mr Davidson took note of Mr Musk's social media posts.

"Hopefully, the Senate will succeed with the Big Beautiful Bill where the House missed the moment," wrote the politician.  "Don't hope someone else will cut deficits someday; know it has been done this Congress."

According to a preliminary assessment from the Congressional Budget Office, the tax measures will increase federal deficits by $3.8 trillion over the next decade, while adjustments to Medicaid, food stamps, and other services will reduce spending by little more than $1 trillion. 

House Republicans claim that improved economic growth will allow the plan to be deficit-neutral or deficit-reducing, but independent watchdogs are skeptical.  The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the law will add $3 trillion to the debt, including interest, over the next decade.