By Alexis Sterling\Nation Of Change
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has officially exited his role in the Trump administration after a 130-day tenure marked by sweeping efforts to dismantle federal agencies and bypass traditional oversight. Operating under the title of “special government employee,” Musk wielded significant power without undergoing Senate confirmation or adhering to standard ethics protocols. His departure, confirmed by the White House on Wednesday evening, came just ahead of his May 30 term expiration—and occurred without a formal conversation with President Donald Trump.
“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk announced on X, his social media platform. “The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he added, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Trump-created initiative he led.
While Musk originally pledged to cut $2 trillion in federal spending, watchdogs and lawmakers say the lasting effects of his campaign were less about savings and more about sabotage. In his brief stint in Washington, Musk oversaw massive agency disruptions, personnel losses, and funding delays that critics warn could destabilize essential public systems for years.
A Reuters review found that Trump and DOGE managed to eliminate nearly 12 percent of the federal civilian workforce—roughly 260,000 jobs—through threats of mass firings, buyouts, and forced early retirements. The resulting chaos has left numerous departments hollowed out, struggling to fulfill their mandates amid prolonged uncertainty.
Among the most affected are education and social service programs. Reuters reported that “Head Start preschool programs for low-income U.S. children are scrambling to cope with funding cuts and delays, as they feel the squeeze of President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting drive.” The article noted that “Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency released $943 million less in congressionally approved funding for distribution through April 15 compared with the previous year.”
Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, offered a grim summary of Musk’s impact. “DOGE is not a way of life, it’s a mantra of destruction,” she said. “The legacy of Elon Musk is lost livelihoods for critical government employees, hindered American education, loss of funding for scientists, and the violation of Americans’ personal privacy, all in the service of corrupt tech-bro billionaire special interests.”
Gilbert emphasized the broader international consequences of Musk’s policies. “The carnage is even more horrifying internationally, as Musk’s chainsaw will lead to the pointless and needless deaths of likely millions of people in the developing world,” she added. “This is a legacy of carnage and corruption that will haunt us for many years to come.” READ MORE…
