Charles Esther
Elon Musk has officially ended his time as a government advisor within the Trump administration.
After 130 days of service in the White House DOGE office, Musk announced his departure on Wednesday.
This comes as the Tesla and SpaceX CEO opened up about his differences with the administration during a “CBS Sunday Morning” interview set to air this weekend.
Differences with the Administration Spark Departure
In a preview clip released Thursday, Musk said, “I agree with much of what the administration does, but we have differences of opinion.”
He added that there were things he didn’t “entirely agree with,” though he did not provide specifics.
Musk emphasized that he doesn’t always align with the administration’s decisions and that this conflict left him in a bind.
“But I also don’t wanna take responsibility for everything the administration’s doing,” he said.
Criticism of Trump’s Spending Bill
A key disagreement appears to be the “big beautiful bill” pushed by House Republicans and supported by President Trump.
Passed on May 22 and now awaiting Senate review, the bill has drawn criticism for potentially raising the national budget deficit.
Musk expressed disappointment, saying, “I think a bill can be big, or it could be beautiful. I don’t know if it could be both.”
He added that the bill undermines the DOGE team’s work and long-term fiscal responsibility.
Mounting Pressure and Backlash Over DOGE Role
Musk’s involvement with DOGE was controversial from the start.
Appointed in November 2024 by Trump to co-lead the cost-cutting agency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk became its sole head after Ramaswamy’s exit in January.
However, Musk’s role sparked protests and boycotts, especially targeting Tesla.
Investors and employees expressed concern that his government duties were taking time away from running his companies.
Shift in Focus Back to Tesla
During Tesla’s most recent earnings call, Musk addressed the issue, saying he would scale back his DOGE commitment.
“My rough plan on the White House is to be there for a couple days every few weeks,” Musk said in a May 20 CNBC interview.
“And to be helpful where I can be helpful.”
That plan seems to have changed rapidly.
Just a day after his CBS interview, Musk formally stepped away from the White House project.
A Complicated Relationship with the Administration
Despite stepping down, Musk maintained a diplomatic tone, stressing that disagreement doesn’t equate to opposition.
His comments reflect the balancing act he has tried to maintain — supporting some of the administration’s goals while distancing himself from certain policies.
Neither Musk nor the White House responded to requests for further comment.
