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Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration Amid Controversy Over Spending Cuts and Legislative Criticism

Elon Musk's departure from the Trump administration follows criticism of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' and a tumultuous tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency.


Slide 23
Muted Musk
Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Sun-Times

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Elon Musk announced his departure from the Trump administration, citing legal limits on his role as a Special Government Employee. He criticized the 'One Big Beautiful Bill', claiming it would increase the national debt by $3.8 trillion and undermine the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he led. Musk's exit reflects a growing rift with Trump, especially after he spent $288 million supporting Republican candidates. His tenure was marked by significant layoffs and controversies over spending cuts, with lawsuits challenging DOGE's authority. Despite claims of saving $175 billion, Musk's efforts fell short of his initial $2 trillion target.

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Articles (67)

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'Disappointed' Musk Slams Trump's Not-So-Beautiful Tax Bill
Rolling StoneRolling Stone·18d·
Left
This outlet favors left-wing views.

"…Musk, who played an active role in the first months of Trump’s administration as the head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has returned his attention to his companies after widespread public backlash to his in-government antics."

Elon Musk says he is 'disappointed' in Trump's 'big beautiful bill'
PBS NewsHourPBS NewsHour·18d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…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."

Elon Musk announces exit from US government role after breaking with Trump on tax bill
The GuardianThe Guardian·17d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Musk’s political activities have drawn protests and some investors have called for Musk to leave his work as Trump’s adviser and manage Tesla more closely."

Musk is pivoting from DC and Doge’s failures – and wants investors to know
The GuardianThe Guardian·17d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Rather than dwell on a year of missed targets and intense backlash, Musk is back to selling a future where anything is possible."

Elon Musk says Trump tax bill weakens Doge cost-cutting efforts
The GuardianThe Guardian·18d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Musk now appears to be hitting out at Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was approved last week by the House of Representatives."

Elon Musk criticizes Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' a fracture in a key relationship
Boston GlobeBoston Globe·18d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…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."

Musk Says GOP Megabill ‘Undermines’ DOGE
TIME MagazineTIME Magazine·18d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Musk criticized the megabill over how it would significantly raise the national debt."

Trump brushes aside Elon Musk’s criticisms of his signature budget bill
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera·17d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…The budget bill clocks in at over a thousand pages, and it contains a range of domestic policy priorities for the Trump administration."

Elon Musk says Trump’s agenda bill ‘undermines’ DOGE mission | Politics
CNNCNN·18d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Musk expressed disappointment over the massive spending bill, stating it increases the budget deficit and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."

Elon Musk's missed opportunity: From the Politics Desk
NBC NewsNBC News·16d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk chose to see everyone outside his insular group of advisers as an enemy, and he tried to vanquish them all with a shock-and-awe strategy more suited to corporate warfare than governance."

Elon Musk emboldens GOP critics of Trump’s big bill: From the Politics Desk
NBC NewsNBC News·17d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The criticism: Musk has suggested he’s scaling back from his administration role to return his attention to the private sector."

Elon Musk says he's 'disappointed' with domestic policy bill in break with Trump
NBC NewsNBC News·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk's public break comes as the Republicans' bill heads to the Senate, where several senators have also criticized the legislation for increasing the deficit."

Muted Musk
Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-Times·17d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk is now quietly exiting the scene he once dominated, his reputation torn to shreds."

Musk criticizes Trump's bill: Timeline of pair's partnership
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·17d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk's comments this week mark the latest fracture in what has been a whirlwind political partnership between the billionaire and Republican president."

Elon Musk bemoans DOGE becoming Trump administration's 'whipping boy'
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk's comments come as he's scaled back his work leading the government-slashing DOGE ‒ reducing the number of days he's in Washington, D.C., following massive profit losses for Tesla."

Elon Musk 'disappointed' by the cost of Trump's tax bill, says it undermines DOGE work
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk said in an exclusive interview with CBS Sunday Morning that "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.""

Elon Musk criticizes Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' a fracture in a key relationship
ABC NewsABC News·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Elon Musk is criticizing the centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, saying he's 'disappointed' in what the president calls his 'big beautiful bill.'"

Trump admin live updates: Elon Musk 'disappointed' with Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'
ABC NewsABC News·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Elon Musk said he is "disappointed" with the "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act" that passed the Republican-led House last week, breaking with President Donald Trump who helped get the legislation over the finish line."

Elon Musk criticizes Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' a fracture in a key relationship
Associated PressAssociated Press·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…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."

Elon Musk: Five ways world's richest man changed the White House
BBC NewsBBC News·16d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk's work with Doge was most felt after the vast majority - over 80% - of the US Agency for International Development's (USAID's) programmes were eliminated following a six-week review by Doge."

Elon Musk 'disappointed' by Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill
BBC NewsBBC News·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk's comments on the issue imply a growing distance from Trump, who he helped to propel back to the White House last year with donations of more than $250m."

Elon Musk is right. The 'Big Beautiful Bill' is a bad deal.
ReasonReason·18d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Musk remains a star in the broader conservative movement and one of the few people who might be able to get away with openly disagreeing with the president."

Elon Musk's role in Trump administration draws to a close
World News GroupWorld News Group·16d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…Musk insisted that the project will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life for the government."

What's next for Tesla as Musk departs Trump White House
Fox BusinessFox Business·16d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…Musk's departure from the Trump White House comes as a welcome development for investors in his various companies, including Tesla, which has faced blowback against Musk's political activism amid sluggish consumer demand for EVs in the last year."

Elon Musk criticizes Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill,’ a fracture in a key relationship
Boston HeraldBoston Herald·18d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…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."

Flashback: Top five wildest moments from Elon Musk's DOGE tenure as it comes to an end
FOX NewsFOX News·17d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…Musk’s efforts to cut government waste resulted in outrage from Democrats and violent protests at Tesla dealerships across the country, along with a dip in Tesla’s stock price."

White House discloses who will lead DOGE efforts after Musk's departure
FOX NewsFOX News·17d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…DOGE’s efforts to cut waste has led to roughly $175 billion in savings due to asset sales, contract cancellations, fraud payment cuts, in addition to other steps to eliminate costs."

White House sending $9.4B DOGE cuts package to Congress next week
FOX NewsFOX News·18d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…The proposal is called a "rescissions package," a vehicle for the president to block funds that were already allocated by Congress in its yearly appropriations process."

Elon Musk exits Trump administration one day after trashing ‘big, beautiful bill’ - Washington Examiner
Washington ExaminerWashington Examiner·17d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…Musk had criticized Trump’s “big, beautiful” spending bill, saying he was “disappointed” in it and that it is a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and “undermines the work” of DOGE."

Trump to send $9.4 billion 'rescissions package' to Congress
Washington ExaminerWashington Examiner·18d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…The legislation will include $1.1 billion in cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which runs PBS and NPR, both of which the president has previously vowed to end."

Musk Is Leaving White House as Tesla Sales Plunge by Nearly Half in Europe
New York SunNew York Sun·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Tesla’s difficulties in Europe have been compounded by public backlash tied to Mr. Musk’s entrance into the world of EU politics."

Elon Musk Slams Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and Says DOGE Became D.C.’s ‘Whipping Boy’
New York SunNew York Sun·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Mr. Musk criticized the size of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and claimed DOGE was a “whipping boy” in two new interviews he gave after stepping back from his role in Washington to concentrate on running his companies."

Dems Swear Elon Musk Won’t Escape Investigations After DOGE Stint
The Daily WireThe Daily Wire·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Democrats are not ready to let go of Elon Musk, one of their leading political targets, now that he is parting ways with the Trump administration."

White House works to send DOGE cuts package to Congress
The BlazeThe Blaze·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…The Trump administration's latest push for Congress to get moving on DOGE cuts comes after Elon Musk himself expressed disappointment with the 'big, beautiful bill.'"

Report: Katie Miller Leaves DOGE to Work for Musk
NewsmaxNewsmax·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Miller's exit follows Musk's departure from DOGE and the White House, which came one day after criticizing the 'big, beautiful' budget bill currently making its way through Congress."

Report: Katie Miller Leaves DOGE to Work for Musk
NewsmaxNewsmax·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Miller's exit follows Musk's departure from DOGE and the White House, which came one day after criticizing the 'big, beautiful' budget bill currently making its way through Congress."

Elon Musk Is Leaving the Trump Administration
NewsmaxNewsmax·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Musk had previously been energized by the opportunity to reshape Washington."

Elon Musk Is Leaving the Trump Administration
NewsmaxNewsmax·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Musk’s criticism come as he steps back from his government work, rededicating himself to companies like the electric automaker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX."

OMB Sending $9.4B Rescissions Package to House
NewsmaxNewsmax·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…The White House plans to send the rescissions package to Congress on Tuesday, an OMB spokesperson told The Washington Examiner."

OMB Sending $9.4B Rescissions Package to House
NewsmaxNewsmax·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…The White House plans to send the rescissions package to Congress on Tuesday, an OMB spokesperson told The Washington Examiner."

Trump: Will Negotiate Tax Bill Amid Musk's Criticism
NewsmaxNewsmax·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Trump expressed dissatisfaction with certain provisions of the tax bill while being satisfied with others."

Trump: Will Negotiate Tax Bill Amid Musk's Criticism
NewsmaxNewsmax·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Trump expressed dissatisfaction with certain provisions while being satisfied with others."

Trump: Will Negotiate Tax Bill Amid Musk's Criticism
NewsmaxNewsmax·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Trump expressed dissatisfaction with certain provisions of the tax bill while being satisfied with others."

Elon Musk: 'Disappointed' in GOP's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'
Breitbart NewsBreitbart News·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Musk said, "So, you know, I was like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decrease it and undermines the work the DOGE team is doing.""

House GOP Looks To Set $9.4 Billion DOGE Cuts In Stone
Daily CallerDaily Caller·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand."

‘Whipping Boy’: Musk Says DOGE Fought Massive ‘Uphill Battle,’ Ended Up Getting Blamed For Everything Bad
Daily CallerDaily Caller·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Despite stepping back from his Washington advisory role, Musk insisted DOGE’s work isn’t finished — though he emphasized more technical goals, focusing on modernizing the federal government’s computer systems."

‘I Was Disappointed’: Elon Musk Throws Cold Water On Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
Daily CallerDaily Caller·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Musk argued in an interview with CBS News scheduled to air on Sunday that the bill will contradict the cost-cutting work of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency."

Musk Parts With Trump Admin After 130 Days as Special Government Employee
Epoch TimesEpoch Times·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Elon Musk, who was tapped by President Donald Trump to lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) earlier this year, will soon leave the federal government, the tech CEO said on May 28."

Trump, Johnson Respond to Elon Musk Objecting to ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
Epoch TimesEpoch Times·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand."

Big, But Not Beautiful? Musk’s Criticism of Budget Bill Sends Political Shock Wave
Daily SignalDaily Signal·17d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…Musk criticized what President Donald Trump calls the “big, beautiful bill,” expressing disappointment over the massive spending bill that increases the budget deficit."

Elon Musk 'Disappointed' in 'Big Beautiful' Spending Bill
Daily SignalDaily Signal·18d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…After months of negotiations and 48 straight hours of work, House Republicans successfully passed the budget reconciliation bill."

Elon Posts Incredibly Humble Farewell Message as Time with DOGE Comes to End
Western JournalWestern Journal·17d·
Far Right
This outlet leans heavily toward right-wing views.

"…Musk’s departure comes after a tumultuous period leading DOGE, which saw a number of Democrats furious with him for being what they felt was a little too aggressive with cutting government fat."

Elon Musk Speaks Out Against 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' Says It 'Undermines' DOGE
Western JournalWestern Journal·18d·
Far Right
This outlet leans heavily toward right-wing views.

"…Musk has stepped away from his work in Washington to resume his focus on businesses that include SpaceX and Tesla as well as the social media platform X."

Musk “Disappointed” by Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” as DOGE Exposes More Fraud, Waste, & Abuse
InfowarsInfowars·18d·
Far Right
This outlet leans heavily toward right-wing views.

"…Musk's frustration appears primarily directed at lawmakers, whom he sees as unwilling to implement the sweeping fiscal cuts needed to course-correct that nation to avert a debt crisis."

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