Elon Musk Resigns as DOGE Head Amid Budget Cuts, Political Fallout

Elon Musk concluded his 130-day tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), during which his team identified about $200 billion in potential federal spending cuts, far short of his initial $2 trillion goal. Musk's tenure was marked by controversial cuts, legal challenges, and criticism, including disputes over the accuracy of reported savings and accusations of targeting essential programs. In his final CBS interview, Musk criticized a Trump-backed budget bill for increasing the deficit and undermining DOGE's work, causing a political firestorm and highlighting his strained relationship with the administration. Despite some alignment with the Trump administration's goals, Musk admitted to disagreements and expressed discomfort with taking full responsibility for its actions. His departure ends a politically charged episode, with Democrats losing a prominent target and questions remaining about DOGE's future and the impact of Musk's disruptive approach on federal processes. President Trump praised Musk's efforts and indicated continued advisory involvement, even as Musk faced ongoing legal and political fallout.