• Elon Musk leaves Trump administration after facing resistance to his efforts to cut federal spending and overhaul government operations.
• Musk criticized Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” saying it increases the deficit and harms the Department of Government Efficiency’s mission.
• His departure may still influence Republicans pushing for deeper spending cuts in the ongoing budget debate.

Elon Musk has officially stepped down as an adviser to President Donald Trump. He announced the decision on Wednesday evening through a post on his platform, X. Musk said his time as a Special Government Employee had come to an end. He thanked Trump for the chance to fight government waste. He also said the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, would continue its mission. Musk now plans to focus fully on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX.

Musk aimed to cut spending but faced major roadblocks

He joined the administration with a bold goal. He wanted to cut $2 trillion in federal spending. But the deeper he went, the harder it got. He lowered his goal to $1 trillion, then $150 billion. He ran into resistance from every side. Government agencies pushed back. Top officials disagreed with his plans. Many disliked his fast-paced approach and the pressure he brought to departments. He also faced lawsuits and strong political criticism.

DOGE slashed jobs and programs during Musk’s time

Musk led a major effort to reduce the size of government. Through DOGE, thousands of jobs disappeared. Several federal programs lost funding or shut down. His actions shook Washington. Some Republican lawmakers supported the effort. Others raised concerns about cuts in their own districts. Musk wanted faster results. But politics, bureaucracy, and pushback slowed his plans.

Musk clashed with Trump over a major spending bill

One day before resigning, Musk spoke to CBS. He said he felt “disappointed” with Trump’s latest bill. The president had called it his “big beautiful bill.” Musk didn’t agree. He said the bill increased the federal deficit. He also said it hurt the work of DOGE. Musk explained, “A bill can be big or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both.” The bill combines tax cuts and stronger immigration laws but also includes massive new spending.

Trump defends the bill while allowing for changes

Trump responded to Musk’s comments from the Oval Office. He said he wasn’t happy with every part of the bill. But he also said he liked many things in it. Trump suggested the bill could still change. He said, “We’re going to see what happens. It’s got a way to go.” Right now, the Senate is still debating it. The House already passed it.

Some Republicans agree with Musk’s frustration

Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin backed Musk’s view. He spoke at a press event in Milwaukee. Johnson said he understood Musk’s disappointment. He also said he felt confident that enough lawmakers would block the bill. Johnson wants the president and party leaders to take spending cuts more seriously. He warned that without real reform, the bill won’t move forward.

Speaker Mike Johnson promises more budget cuts soon

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also thanked Musk. He praised the work of DOGE. He said the House is ready to act on DOGE’s findings. Johnson urged the Senate not to make too many changes to the bill. He said the House reached a fragile deal. He warned that any major changes might destroy it. Johnson remains focused on cutting spending.

White House prepares to cancel billions in spending

In response to pressure, the White House will now send a rescission package to Congress. This will cancel some approved spending. The proposal includes cuts like $1.1 billion from public broadcasting and $8.3 billion from foreign aid. These cuts aim to back DOGE’s mission and reduce the federal budget.

Musk admits challenges working with federal bureaucracy

Musk reflected on his experience in Washington. He said, “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized.” He called the process of making changes in D.C. “an uphill battle.” Musk also said he will now reduce his political donations. He explained, “I think I’ve done enough.” His comments show clear frustration after months of effort with limited results.

In the beginning, Musk seemed energized. He donated at least $250 million to support Trump, wore campaign hats in the White House and held rallies of his own. He often warned that excessive spending was a crisis. Musk also praised Trump, saying, “The more I’ve gotten to know President Trump, the more I like the guy.” Trump returned the favor, calling Musk “a truly great American.”

Musk’s exit could still impact the spending debate

Even after stepping down, Musk’s views may shape future talks. Some Republicans are now pushing for stronger spending cuts. Senator Mike Lee from Utah said the Senate version of the bill must be more aggressive. He warned that if the bill remains weak, it will fail. Lee and other conservatives want big changes before approving the bill.

When the House voted on the bill last week, just two Republicans voted “no.” Reps. Warren Davidson and Thomas Massie stood against it. Davidson supported Musk’s recent comments. He posted on social media, “Don’t hope someone else will cut deficits someday. Know it has been done this Congress.”

Experts say the bill may grow the deficit

The Congressional Budget Office offered a warning. It said the bill’s tax cuts would add $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years. The bill’s spending cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and other services would save only about $1 trillion. House Republican leaders claim the economy will grow fast enough to cover the gap. But independent budget groups remain doubtful. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates the bill could add $3 trillion in debt, including interest, over the next decade.