SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has wrapped up his tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), delivering his final update before stepping down after 130 days of service. Speaking from the Oval Office alongside President Donald Trump, Musk shared his optimism about the agency’s mission and its future course.
Musk underscored his confidence that DOGE will, “in time,” achieve its goal of trimming a trillion dollars in federal waste.
During his stint as a “special government employee,” Musk spearheaded efforts to slash government spending, initially projecting $2 trillion in savings before adjusting that target to $1 trillion. In April 2025, at a Cabinet meeting, Musk further fine-tuned this figure to $150 billion for the current fiscal year. Reflecting on his experience, he admitted that finding cuts wasn’t an easy task.
“It’s a lot of work to sort through the federal government’s enormous expenses and really ask the hard questions,” Musk said at the press event.
Though he’s stepping down from his official role, Musk plans to remain involved as an adviser to President Trump.
“I expect to continue providing advice whenever the president seeks it,” he told reporters.
President Trump responded with encouragement: “I hope so.”
“I’ll stay on as a friend and adviser, and if there’s ever anything the president wants me to do, I’m ready,” Musk added.
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE focused on boosting efficiency and cutting wasteful spending. The agency’s efforts paid off, canceling over 10,000 contracts, 15,000 grants, and nearly 500 leases, leading to a total savings of $172 billion.
One notable accomplishment was a thorough review of inactive government credit cards across 32 federal agencies. This resulted in the deactivation of 523,000 cards.
DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures haven’t been without controversy. The agency has faced criticism from across the political spectrum for allegedly overstepping its authority, particularly concerning large-scale layoffs and agency reductions.
As Musk steps away, speculation is swirling over who might replace him, with Russell Vought’s name surfacing as a potential candidate. Still, some question whether DOGE can keep up its momentum without Musk at the helm.
