Elon Musk Departs After Divisive DOGE Tenure

Elon Musk ended his 130-day tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in President Donald Trump’s administration, following controversy over aggressive agency closures, mass firings, and a push to centralize federal data for immigration enforcement. Musk’s plans for cost-cutting and government overhaul met strong resistance, with litigation stalling layoffs and agency disruptions affecting services like Social Security. His management style and controversial hires sparked backlash from unions, agency heads, and the public, with protests and boycotts damaging Tesla’s profits. Scandals over staff conduct and alleged racist or incompetent appointments further marred his tenure. Musk ultimately broke with Trump over a major spending bill, admitting he underestimated the inertia of federal bureaucracy. While some credit Musk with exposing waste, critics argue his brief leadership caused lasting disruption.