INTERNATIONAL: Elon Musk Steps Down from Trump’s Advisory Role
End of Tenure in Government Efficiency Department
Elon Musk has officially resigned from his advisory role under US President Donald Trump. He was heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DoJ), an initiative formed to streamline federal operations and reduce public spending.
Initial Goals and Setbacks
Musk had initially set an ambitious target to cut US government expenditure by \$2 trillion. However, legal obstacles and public protests made it difficult to implement these plans. Over time, the goal was reduced to \$1 trillion and finally scaled down to \$15 billion, reflecting the challenges in executing large-scale reforms.
Impact and Resignation Statement
During his tenure, Musk’s measures led to the termination of thousands of federal employees and the closure of several government agencies. These drastic actions triggered unrest and drew criticism from various sectors. On Wednesday evening, Musk announced his resignation, stating, “My term as a special government employee is over. Thank you to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to reduce wasteful government spending.”
Political Opposition to Cost-Cutting Measures
Musk’s resignation is reportedly linked to the recent failure of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in the US Congress. The bill, a major component of Trump’s legislative agenda, was expected to expand government spending. Musk expressed that this proposal contradicts the principles of the efficiency program he led. In an interview, he warned that the bill would undo much of the progress made in controlling unnecessary expenditure.
Reported Conflict Over AI Deal
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Musk also attempted to influence President Trump to block a deal between OpenAI and the United Arab Emirates. Sources claim Trump did not act on Musk’s suggestion. This disagreement is also believed to be one of the reasons behind Musk’s decision to step down.