Washington, D.C. is abuzz with speculation following reports that Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has abruptly resigned from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after a series of public setbacks and alleged humiliations by President Donald Trump. The news, first reported by The Washington Post on April 22, 2025, claims Musk is stepping down due to relentless criticism from political opponents and growing tensions within the Trump administration. But is this sudden exit a reaction to being sidelined by Trump, or is Musk strategically bowing out to salvage his reputation?
Musk’s tenure at DOGE, a controversial initiative aimed at slashing $1 trillion in federal spending, has been tumultuous. Initially hailed as a visionary reformer, Musk faced backlash for his aggressive tactics, including mass layoffs and unauthorized access to sensitive federal data, which sparked lawsuits and judicial blocks. The New York Times reported on April 18 that Musk’s influence was waning after a string of missteps, including a failed attempt to secure a top-secret Pentagon briefing on China war plans. The briefing was canceled after Trump, unaware of Musk’s arrangement, publicly dismissed it, leaving Musk embarrassed.
Further fueling the narrative of humiliation, Musk’s handpicked acting IRS commissioner was replaced just days after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent complained to Trump, highlighting Musk’s diminishing clout. His vocal opposition to Trump’s tariffs and public feud with trade adviser Peter Navarro, whom Musk called “dumber than a sack of bricks,” also backfired, with Trump siding with Navarro and ignoring Musk’s stance. Perhaps most damaging was Musk’s high-profile failure in Wisconsin, where his $20 million investment in a conservative Supreme Court candidate resulted in a double-digit loss, branded as a “referendum on Elon Musk.”
The Washington Post cited a source close to Musk, claiming he is “tired of vicious and unethical attacks from the left,” pointing to his frustration with critics who accuse him of overstepping his role. Musk, who once bought X to champion free speech, ironically decried the rhetoric against him, despite his own history of inflammatory posts. Yet, insiders suggest the real issue lies within the administration. Rolling Stone reported White House officials mocking Musk as “annoying” and possibly “high all the time,” while Politico noted on April 2 that Trump had privately told his cabinet Musk would soon step back, citing his unpredictability as a “political liability.”
DOGE’s failure to reduce government spending—Trump’s administration is reportedly outspending Biden’s—has further eroded Musk’s credibility. His claim about 150-year-olds receiving Social Security was debunked, exposing his shaky grasp of federal data. Meanwhile, his infamous “list five things you did last week” email to federal workers is now widely ignored, signaling his waning authority.
On X, reactions are mixed. Some users, like @PawlowskiMario, claim Trump distanced himself from Musk, saying, “I don’t need Elon for anything,” while others, like @DOGE__news, dramatically declared, “You’re fired.” However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted Musk would depart only when his “incredible work at DOGE is complete,” dismissing exit rumors as “garbage.”
So, is Musk quitting after being humiliated, or is he choosing to exit on his terms? The truth likely lies in a mix of both. Facing public backlash, internal snubs, and a string of political losses, Musk may be cutting his losses to focus on his businesses, where his brand is already suffering. Tesla’s stock has slumped amid boycotts, and his DOGE legacy is mired in controversy. Whether this is a resignation or a face-saving retreat, one thing is clear: Musk’s Washington adventure has ended with more fizzle than fanfare.
