Elon Musk Exits Trump Government After Securing Global Deals

Elon Musk has recently ended his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump, after a brief but notable tenure marked by efforts to reduce federal spending and secure government contracts for his businesses. Despite his close relationship with Trump and significant financial support for the 2024 campaign, Musk publicly expressed disappointment with a major spending bill passed by Congress, criticizing it for increasing the national deficit and undermining DOGE's mission. His political involvement has been polarizing, affecting both his and his companies' reputations, but he has simultaneously pursued new international business deals, including projects in the Middle East involving Neuralink, Starlink, and the Boring Company. Trump's administration has continued to collaborate with Musk's team on government efficiency, though Musk has signaled a shift back to focusing on his business ventures and reducing political spending. The relationship between Trump and Musk appears to be cooling, with Musk scaling back his Washington presence and growing critical of certain administration policies, highlighting emerging tensions despite their prior alignment. Meanwhile, Trump’s strained ties with other tech leaders, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, underscore ongoing challenges between the administration and the tech industry.