Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, has publicly announced his departure from his role within the Trump administration. This development was confirmed by the White House on Wednesday evening, stating that Musk's "off-boarding" process was set to begin. Musk conveyed his departure on his social media platform X, expressing gratitude to President Trump for the opportunity to serve and contribute to reducing wasteful spending.

During his tenure, Musk served as a Special Government Employee, a role that was set to conclude as his scheduled time came to an end. He spearheaded the "department of government efficiency" (DOGE), an initiative aimed at streamlining governmental operations. Musk expressed confidence in the enduring impact of DOGE, stating, “The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”

The departure of Musk, who once described himself as Trump’s “first buddy,” appeared to be swift and unceremonious. Reports indicate that Musk did not have a formal discussion with President Trump prior to his public announcement. Instead, the decision for his exit was reportedly made “at a senior staff level.” Musk's 130-day mandate as a special government employee was approaching its expiration around May 30.

Despite his departure, both Musk and the administration have affirmed that the efforts initiated by DOGE to restructure and reduce the size of the federal government will persist. Musk, recognized as the world's wealthiest individual, had previously defended his position as an unelected official who was granted significant authority by Trump to undertake reforms aimed at dismantling parts of the U.S. government.

Leading up to his exit, Musk had been signaling his impending departure from Washington and his intention to return to his business ventures. He had become increasingly critical of some administration policies, notably expressing sharp criticism of Trump's spending plan. He also voiced concerns over the President's flagship tax bill, deeming it overly expensive and potentially undermining his efforts to enhance governmental efficiency.

Musk conveyed his growing frustration with the bureaucratic hurdles in Washington. In an interview with the Washington Post, he described the federal bureaucracy as "much worse than I realised," admitting that "it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.” He also lamented that DOGE had become a "whipping boy," unfairly blamed for various issues within the Trump White House.

Furthermore, Musk's time in the administration was marked by some internal conflicts. He reportedly clashed privately with certain cabinet-level officials. Publicly, he criticized White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, labeling him a “moron” for his dismissal of Musk’s advocacy for “zero tariffs” between the United States and Europe.