Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), prompting the White House to announce a transition of leadership. President Donald Trump and his Cabinet are set to assume responsibility for continuing the agency's mission to reduce government waste.
The White House press secretary stated that the leadership of DOGE will be carried forward collectively by the President and all members of his Cabinet, underscoring a sustained commitment to eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in government operations.
Musk expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to reducing unnecessary government expenditure during his tenure as DOGE chief. He affirmed that the efforts initiated will persist and deepen as cost-cutting measures become institutionalized within federal agencies.
"As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk stated.
President Trump praised Musk's contributions on social media, describing him as "terrific" and highlighting that Musk's influence will remain integral to government efficiency efforts. Trump announced a press conference with Musk to mark his departure and emphasize ongoing collaboration.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Musk had initially pledged to cut $2 trillion in federal wasteful spending. Following the formal establishment of DOGE under Trump's administration, this target was revised to $1 trillion. The agency, through contract cancellations, asset sales, and other measures, reports savings amounting to approximately $160 billion to date.
Musk's involvement attracted scrutiny over his expanding influence within federal decision-making in recent months. Despite this, the administration remains focused on advancing DOGE's objectives under the new leadership structure.
