Elon Musk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump as he announced the conclusion of his official government role. Since January 2025, Musk has served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency dedicated to reducing federal government size and eliminating wasteful spending.
As a special government employee, Musk was authorized to work up to 130 days per calendar year, a term that ended at the close of May, marking the end of his active involvement in the Trump administration's efficiency efforts. Musk stated on his social media platform X that the DOGE mission will continue to be influential and become ingrained throughout government operations.
Despite his departure from full-time government work, Musk remains critical of certain legislative actions currently progressing through Congress, which he believes undermine the progress made by DOGE. In a CBS interview scheduled to air on June 1, Musk expressed concerns about these policies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum in government efficiency reforms.
Known primarily as the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and the AI startup xAI, Musk has indicated plans to refocus his attention on his business ventures moving forward. During an April earnings call, he mentioned reducing his time dedicated to DOGE by the end of May but suggested he might still devote a day or two per week to government-related initiatives until the conclusion of Trump's term.
Musk also plans to retain his small White House office space as a sign of ongoing engagement. Early in his tenure, he reportedly worked nearly every day of the week on government efficiency tasks, underscoring his initial commitment to the role.
Meanwhile, legal challenges have surfaced, with multiple lawsuits alleging Musk violated securities laws during his time leading DOGE. Additionally, pension fund leaders have urged Tesla's board to mandate Musk’s presence of at least 40 hours per week at Tesla as a prerequisite for any future compensation packages.
