Billionaire’s Resignation and Criticism of Trump’s Spending Plan Signal Deepening Divide
Washington, May 29, 2025 – In a stunning turn of events, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced his resignation from his role as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, marking the end of his tenure leading the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The decision, revealed on X on May 29, 2025, comes just a day after Musk publicly criticized Trump’s flagship “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” accusing it of undermining DOGE’s mission to slash federal spending. The move has fueled rumors of a growing rift between the billionaire and the president, raising questions about the future of DOGE and the stability of Trump’s second-term administration.
Musk’s Abrupt Departure
Musk, who joined the Trump administration in January 2025 as a special government employee, posted on X: “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. The
@DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” His exit coincides with the expiration of his 130-day service cap, but the timing—following his sharp critique of Trump’s legislative agenda—suggests deeper tensions. A White House official confirmed Musk’s departure but offered no further comment, leaving observers to speculate about the underlying causes.
Clashing Over the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
The catalyst for Musk’s resignation appears to be his outspoken disapproval of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping tax-and-spending package passed by the House on May 22, 2025, and now under Senate review. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning on May 28, Musk expressed dismay, stating, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.” He added, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both.” The bill, which extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, boosts military and border security spending, and slashes programs like Medicaid and clean energy incentives, is estimated to add $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Musk’s criticism struck a nerve, as it contradicted Trump’s portrayal of the bill as a cornerstone of his economic agenda.
DOGE’s Chaotic Legacy
Launched with fanfare after Trump’s inauguration, DOGE aimed to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget, a goal Musk later scaled back to $150 billion. The initiative, co-led with Vivek Ramaswamy, triggered mass layoffs, with approximately 56,000 federal jobs cut and 75,000 employees accepting buyouts by April 2025. DOGE’s aggressive tactics, including accessing sensitive data systems and dismantling agencies like USAID, sparked over 200 lawsuits and widespread protests. Critics, including the Partnership for Public Service, estimate that the chaos from DOGE’s cuts will cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year due to lost productivity and legal battles. Despite claims of $175 billion in savings on DOGE’s website, BBC analysis found only $61.5 billion itemized, with evidence for just $32.5 billion. Musk himself admitted to the Washington Post, “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized. It’s an uphill battle.”
Strains in the Musk-Trump Alliance
Once hailed as Trump’s “genius” confidant, Musk’s relationship with the president has visibly cooled. Posts on X from March 2025 speculated about a rift, with
@indiatvnews reporting Musk’s intent to distance himself from Trump due to business pressures. Trump’s social media mentions of Musk on Truth Social have dwindled, and insiders told Politico that Trump views Musk as a “political liability” amid public backlash over DOGE’s cuts. The New York Times reported tensions with cabinet secretaries, including a heated clash with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in March, over Musk’s abrupt budget-slashing proposals. Trump, responding to Musk’s criticism of the bill, told reporters on May 28, “I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects. We’ll be negotiating.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, praised DOGE’s work, promising to codify its cuts through a rescissions package.
Business Pressures and Public Backlash
Musk’s political involvement has taken a toll on his companies. Tesla’s sales plummeted 13% in Q1 2025, with its stock dropping 50% and its reputation ranking sliding to 95th among America’s top 100 companies, down from 8th in 2021. Vandalism of Tesla dealerships and a 50% sales drop in Europe reflect public anger over Musk’s DOGE role. SpaceX faced setbacks, including a failed Starship test flight on May 28, 2025, and FAA fines for launch violations. Musk told Bloomberg on May 20, “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I’ve done enough.” Investors have urged Musk to refocus on his businesses, with a Tesla shareholder meeting in April citing his DOGE involvement as a distraction.
What’s Next for DOGE?
Despite Musk’s exit, DOGE is slated to continue until July 4, 2026, per Trump’s executive order. The White House has hinted that another secretary will take the helm, but key DOGE figures tied to Musk may not stay. Republican lawmakers, including Senators Ron Johnson and Mike Lee, have endorsed DOGE’s mission, but public outrage at town halls and a planned nationwide protest on May 31, 2025, signal growing resistance. Democrats, blocked from accessing affected agencies, have launched investigations into DOGE’s data access, with Senate Democrats probing federal student loan records. A federal judge’s ruling on May 28 questioning the constitutionality of Musk’s appointment adds further uncertainty.
Public and Political Reactions
Musk’s resignation has sparked varied reactions. On X, @ZeeNews celebrated his exit, noting Tesla’s stock surge post-announcement, while @JaikyYadav16 had earlier praised Musk’s DOGE vision as a bold reform. Critics, including fired federal worker John Vizzachero, credited Musk with “radicalizing” them to protest, telling Rolling Stone, “I’d thank him for pushing me to speak out.” Political analyst Alex Patton warned that Musk risks becoming a “boogeyman” for Democrats, akin to Nancy Pelosi. Trump, while publicly supportive, is reportedly mindful of DOGE’s impact on his 2026 midterm prospects, especially after withdrawing Elise Stefanik’s UN ambassador nomination to preserve his House majority.
A Fractured Partnership
The Musk-Trump saga, once a symbol of disruptive governance, has unraveled amid ideological clashes and practical failures. Musk’s criticism of the “Big Beautiful Bill” and his acknowledgment of DOGE’s struggles reflect a sobering reality check for the billionaire, whose Washington stint has left a trail of chaos. As Musk returns to his business empire, the Trump administration faces the challenge of sustaining DOGE’s momentum without its polarizing figurehead. The rift, fueled by differing visions for America’s fiscal future, underscores the fragility of political alliances in a polarized era.
