Elon Musk Leaves Trump Administration Before X Feud
June 6, 2025 • 4 minute read.
Elon Musk officially stepped down from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the end of May 2025, citing fundamental disagreements with President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and his administration’s direction. Musk had joined the Trump administration in January to lead DOGE, an initiative aimed at cutting federal spending and modernizing government processes. Just days after Musk’s departure, a highly publicized Musk Trump Twitter exchange erupted, marking the end of what many once viewed as a strong alliance between the tech magnate and the president.
Background: Musk’s Role in the Trump Administration
Elon Musk’s tenure as the head of DOGE began on January 20, 2025, when he was appointed by executive order to streamline federal spending and reduce waste. Musk claimed that DOGE would identify savings of up to $150 billion, though this figure was based solely on his public statements and not independently verified. DOGE’s objectives included modernizing information technology across government agencies and eliminating redundant contracts. Musk’s appointment was met with both enthusiasm and skepticism, given that some of his companies—particularly SpaceX and Tesla—held significant federal contracts
The Resignation: Why Did Elon Musk Leave Government?
On May 30, 2025, Musk announced his resignation via social media, stating that he could not support the newly passed budget bill. Musk criticized the “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a “disgusting abomination,” arguing that it undermined the cost-saving measures he helped implement at DOGE. In his resignation message, Musk explicitly questioned the bill’s transparency, noting that “False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!”.
False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!
🚨TRUMP: "I'm very disappointed with Elon. I've helped him a lot. He knew the inner workings of the bill better than anybody sitting here. He had no problem with it. All of a sudden he had a problem & he only developed the problem when he found out we're going to cut EV mandate"
His departure ignited widespread speculation and media coverage, with analysts asking “why did Elon Musk leave government?” Some commentators noted that Musk’s companies could face regulatory risks if tensions with the administration escalated. Others suggested that Musk’s growing political influence made him a lightning rod for controversy, especially as his public stances on policy issues became more prominent.
The Musk Trump Twitter Exchange
Initial Criticism and Sarcastic Riposte
Shortly after Musk stepped down, he took to X to lambast the “Big Beautiful Bill,” referencing President Trump’s own past tweets criticizing federal deficits. Musk posted a series of messages in which he dug up Trump’s old comments from 2012 and 2013 to highlight what he saw as hypocrisy.
His strategic use of Trump’s own words struck a chord on X, quickly going viral and setting the tone for the ensuing feud. Other users pointed out that Musk’s departure from the Trump council had been a long time coming, given philosophical differences over taxation, regulation, and the direction of federal spending.
Trump’s Response and Accusations
In a subsequent press conference, President Trump expressed disappointment, stating that Musk had been a “key player” in his re-election efforts and questioning Musk’s motives. Trump alleged that Musk criticized the bill because it cut electric vehicle subsidies—subsidies that benefited Tesla—and accused Musk of bitterness over losing direct control of policy decisions. During the Oval Office meeting on June 5, Trump claimed that he “had a great relationship” with Musk but was “disappointed” by Musk’s public attacks, suggesting Musk “missed” being in the White House.
Trump suggested he might terminate government contracts benefiting Musk’s companies and insinuated that Musk’s commercial interests clouded his judgment. “People leave my administration, and they love us, and then at some point they miss it so badly…” Trump said, implying Musk would regret his public criticism.
Public Reactions and Market Impact
The explosive social media exchange drew immediate attention. On June 5, Musk’s initial tweets had amassed millions of interactions as followers debated the merits of his stance. Some praised Musk for holding the administration accountable, while others lamented the breakdown of a once-celebrated partnership.
On Wall Street, Tesla’s stock price plunged approximately 14% amid fears that strained federal relations could jeopardize future subsidies and contracts. Likewise, Trump Media & Technology Group shares dipped as investors weighed the potential fallout. Analysts highlighted that Musk’s critique of the federal budget bill, combined with threats of contract revocations, had tangible economic repercussions.
What This Means for U.S. Politics and Tech Industry Relations
The Musk Trump Twitter exchange symbolizes a broader shift in U.S. politics, where prominent tech figures play increasingly influential—and at times adversarial—roles. Musk’s departure as head of DOGE underscores how public disagreements on fiscal policy can rapidly evolve into full-blown feuds under the relentless spotlight of social media.
Key takeaways include:
- Shift in Alliances: The once-strong Musk Trump alliance, centered on deregulation and innovation, has fractured over competing interests—corporate versus governmental.
- Tech Influence on Policy: Musk’s vocal presence on X demonstrates the growing power of social media platforms to sway public opinion and legislative outcomes.
- Economic Implications: The stock market reaction indicates that policy disputes can directly impact corporate valuations, especially when government contracts are at stake.
What’s Next?
As of June 6, 2025, there are no immediate signs of reconciliation between Elon Musk and President Trump. Observers predict this feud could influence upcoming debates over government spending and regulations affecting the tech sector.
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