Elon Musk announces departure from Donald Trump’s administration: ‘My scheduled time comes to an end’

The billionaire entrepreneur posted Wednesday about his decision on X, his social media website.

Elon Musk on Thursday announced that he is stepping down from his role as a top advisor to US President Donald Trump, having led initiatives to streamline and reform the federal bureaucracy.

Taking to X, the billionaire wrote, "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,” the Tesla CEO added.

A White House official, who requested anonymity to talk about the change, confirmed to news agency Associated Press that Elon Musk was leaving.

The development comes after Musk criticised the centrepiece of Trump's legislative agenda, saying he was “disappointed” by what the president calls his “big beautiful bill".

The legislation includes a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement.

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.
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025

While speaking to CBS, Musk described it as a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and “undermines the work” of his Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful. But I don't know if it could be both,” Musk said.

Meanwhile, in the Oval Office, Trump stood by his agenda -- by highlighting the complex political negotiations required to pass the legislation.

“I'm not happy about certain aspects of it, but I'm thrilled by other aspects of it,” he said. “We're going to see what happens. It's got a way to go.”

Republicans recently pushed the measure through the House and are debating it in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has urged senators to not make significant changes to the legislation, saying that House Republicans reached a “very delicate balance” that could be upended with major changes.