Elon Musk ends his DOGE tenure as Trump and his Cabinet assume leadership of the $2T efficiency mission.

Trump and Cabinet to Lead DOGE After Musk's Scheduled Departure

Elon Musk has formally stepped down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), concluding his temporary appointment as a special government employee. The transition was announced Wednesday evening, marking the end of Musk’s 130-day term as outlined by federal ethics rules.

President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet will now oversee DOGE, the administration’s sweeping initiative to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the mission will continue without disruption. “The DOGE leaders are each and every member of the president’s cabinet and the president himself,” she stated, affirming ongoing support at all levels of government.

Musk, who has served as the public face of DOGE since its inception on Inauguration Day, January 20, confirmed his departure in a post on X. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he wrote, thanking President Trump for the opportunity to serve.

Mission Milestones and Future Plans

DOGE was established by executive order to cut $2 trillion in federal expenditures by reforming programs, slashing spending, and shrinking the federal workforce. According to a May 26 internal update, the initiative has already achieved approximately $175 billion in savings through asset sales, contract terminations, and fraud mitigation. That equates to an estimated $1,086.96 in savings per taxpayer.

Musk previously noted that much of the groundwork would be complete within his term. “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that timeframe,” he told reporters in April. During a recent Tesla earnings call, Musk announced he would significantly scale back his involvement with DOGE, but remain available part-time to ensure the program’s long-term impact.

Despite being a central figure, Musk was not an employee of the United States DOGE Service and did not hold decision-making authority, according to internal court documents. Instead, he served as a senior advisor to the president. Acting DOGE administrator Amy Gleason clarified in a court filing that Musk did not manage internal operations and did not report to DOGE leadership.

President Trump has repeatedly praised Musk’s contributions. “He’s a very talented guy. He didn’t need this,” Trump stated during a March address. “We appreciate it. Everybody here, even this side, appreciates it, I believe.”

While Musk’s active role has concluded, DOGE will remain in place until July 4, 2026, per the original executive order. White House officials have confirmed that the program is now embedded in the structure of the federal government, with DOGE employees continuing under the direction of their respective agency heads. Trump and his Cabinet are expected to carry forward the initiative’s momentum, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline.