Musk Says “Bye Bye” to His Time in Washington

Diya Ravi

May 30, 2025

On Friday, Elon Musk's brief and tumultuous time in Washington came to an end. Standing beside President Trump in the Oval Office, he folded his arms and showed a bruise from playing with his son. Musk had initially joined the Trump administration with the ambitious goal of drastically shrinking the federal government. However, his efforts did not meet expectations. 

His Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he partly funded with over $250 million of his own money, closed down agencies, fired federal workers, and saved $175 billion. This amount is still far from his original target of $2 trillion. A nonpartisan analysis even suggests that DOGE costs taxpayers $135 billion.

Despite criticism, Musk remained resolute. "This is not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning," he declared, promising further cuts in the upcoming year. Trump, on the other hand, was more complimentary, calling Musk "an incredible patriot" and praising his resilience amidst the criticism and conflicts. However, Musk’s relationship with Trump became strained over policy disagreements, including opposition to sweeping tariffs and visa restrictions, as well as criticism of Trump’s "Big Beautiful" budget bill. Musk expressed his disappointment, stating, "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, which increases the deficit."

Steve Bannon, a central figure in the MAGA movement, took a critical stance on Elon Musk’s involvement in political matters, particularly during his time in Washington. Bannon and others associated with Trump’s faction of the GOP perceived Musk’s technocratic and globalist perspective as a mismatch with the core ideals of Trump’s agenda. This discord highlights the ongoing tension within the Republican Party regarding the embrace of technology and globalism versus a more nationalist approach.

Musk himself expressed disappointment with the intricacies of Washington’s bureaucratic landscape. In an interview with The Washington Post, he remarked, “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized,” indicating his struggle to navigate the complexities of government operations. His experiences while dabbling in politics not only clouded his public perception but also impacted Tesla’s stock performance, raising eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest tied to his companies, particularly with SpaceX and Starlink contracts.

Despite these challenges, both Musk and Trump have not ruled out future collaboration. Musk extended an offer to guide Trump, stating he would be willing to advise “whenever the president would like advice.” This suggests that there remains a mutual interest in maintaining a relationship, despite the political backlash Musk faced.

As Musk steps back from the political spotlight and returns to the private sector, he appears eager to move forward, brushing aside the controversies that may have clouded his tenure in Washington. When confronted by reporters about the tumultuous period, he simply replied, “Let’s move on,” signaling his intent to focus on innovation and business rather than political entanglements. His determination to forge ahead reflects a broader sentiment among some of today’s tech leaders who seek to separate their corporate ventures from the unpredictability of politics.