Elon Musk Departs DOGE: $175 Billion Saved, but Is the Fight Against Waste Just Beginning?

Elon Musk, the tech titan behind Tesla and SpaceX, has stepped down from his role as the public face of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), marking the end of a high-profile stint aimed at slashing federal waste. In a late-night post on X, Musk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for the opportunity to tackle government overspending, stating, "The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

Launched via Trump’s executive order on January 20, DOGE has been a relentless force, sniffing out inefficiency, fraud, and corruption across federal agencies. With Musk’s departure, a senior White House official emphasized that DOGE’s mission remains embedded in the government’s DNA, with employees now reporting directly to agency heads to execute the president’s efficiency agenda.

The agency, led by administrator Amy Gleason, described as a "world-class talent" with roots in Obama’s United States Digital Service, has already saved an estimated $175 billion through asset sales, contract cancellations, and fraud elimination. That’s roughly $1,086.96 per taxpayer—a figure that underscores DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting. Yet, the organization is set to dissolve by July 4, 2026, per Trump’s order, leaving its long-term impact in question.

While Musk’s exit shifts DOGE into a new phase, critics—particularly Democrats and activists—have targeted the billionaire, even attempting to tank Tesla’s stock. Still, supporters like White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller insist the agency’s work to root out Washington’s "deep rot" has only just begun.