• Elon Musk confirms his departure from the Trump administration as his role concludes.
• Musk publicly thanks President Trump while criticizing a key spending bill.
• The Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk led, faces scrutiny over its effectiveness.

Elon Musk has officially announced his departure from his role as a "special government employee" in the Trump administration, with his offboarding process beginning on Wednesday evening, May 28. In a post on X, he expressed gratitude to President Trump for the opportunity to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and stated that the agency's mission would "only strengthen over time" as it becomes institutionalized throughout the government, according to BBC, Newsweek, and ABC News.

Despite his gratitude, Musk voiced disappointment over Trump's proposed "big, beautiful bill," which encompasses substantial tax breaks and an increase in defense spending. He described the legislation as a "massive spending bill" that could exacerbate the national deficit and undermine DOGE's objectives. "I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, but I don’t know if it could be both," Musk remarked, pointing to the tension between his efforts and Trump's agenda, as noted by Reuters, CBS News, and Le Monde.

Musk's leadership at DOGE had faced significant backlash due to aggressive budget cuts across various federal sectors, prompting protests and criticism regarding his influence as an unelected official. Reports indicate that DOGE aimed to save about $150 billion, but Musk acknowledged the challenges faced, suggesting that implementing significant change in Washington proved difficult, as detailed in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

As he prepares to return to focusing on his businesses like Tesla and SpaceX, Musk's mixed legacy at DOGE reflects a broader struggle against the entrenched bureaucracy of the federal government. His involvement has sparked considerable discussion over the direction of spending policy and the effective implementation of government efficiency measures, according to India Times and Newsweek.