Elon Musk recently concluded his role as a Special Government Employee at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he worked on initiatives to curtail federal spending. Musk took to his social media platform X to express gratitude for the opportunity and optimism about the continuation of the department's mission to reduce government waste.
Despite his collaboration with the administration, Musk publicly expressed disappointment with President Donald Trump's newly enacted "Big, Beautiful" spending bill, criticizing its impact on the national deficit and the efforts of the DOGE team. Trump responded by acknowledging negotiations would continue, despite his mixed feelings about the bill.
The professional relationship between Musk and Trump has evolved through notable highs and lows, capturing public attention for its oscillation from cautious distance to open support and cooperation, and ultimately, critique.
A Detailed Look at the Musk-Trump Relationship Timeline
- March 2024: Musk publicly stated he would not donate to any candidates in the upcoming US presidential election.
- July 2024: Contrary to his earlier stance, Musk donated over $250 million to Trump's reelection campaign following an attempted assassination on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
- August 2024: Musk hosted Trump for a discussion on his social platform X, proposing a government efficiency commission which he volunteered to serve on.
- September 2024: Trump announced plans to establish a government efficiency commission led by Musk if reelected.
- October 2024: Musk appeared alongside Trump at a rally wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap, reinforcing their alliance.
- November 2024: Musk celebrated the Republican victories with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and jointly observed a SpaceX Starship launch.
- January 2025: Musk attended Trump's inauguration; Trump emphasized space exploration ambitions. Musk celebrated the event on X as "The Return of the King."
- February 2025: Musk joined Trump in the Oval Office as the latter signed an executive order to reduce government workforce size significantly.
- March 2025: Trump publicly purchased a Tesla at full price, praising Musk as a "patriot" despite Musk’s ambiguous political stance. This occurred amidst some backlash against Musk’s affiliation with Trump.
The dynamic between Musk and Trump underscores a unique political-business relationship marked by strategic support, shared interests in government efficiency, and public disagreements. Musk’s departure from DOGE signals a new chapter as both individuals continue influencing public discourse and policy in their separate capacities.
