Washington, D.C. – Elon Musk has officially departed his position in the Trump administration, cutting short his tenure as Special Advisor and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The White House confirmed the billionaire’s exit on Wednesday, May 28, two days before his expected departure date.

Sources close to the administration revealed to Reuters that Musk left without a final conversation with President Trump. The Tesla CEO later took to X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge the end of his government service: “As my time as a Special Government Employee comes to a close, I want to thank President Trump for the opportunity to serve,” Musk posted.

Policy Disputes and Public Criticism

Musk’s advisory role was marked by increasing friction with Trump’s economic team, particularly regarding import tariffs that directly impacted Tesla’s global operations. The tension peaked in April when Musk publicly attacked Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade advisor, questioning the value of Navarro’s Harvard economics PhD.

According to Washington Post insiders, Musk made multiple attempts to persuade Trump to reconsider the tariff policies, which he viewed as harmful to American manufacturers with international supply chains. His brother Kimbal Musk amplified these criticisms through social media, calling the tariffs a “permanent structural tax on American consumers.”

An Unfinished Mission?

While Musk initially committed to a 130-day special appointment beginning in January, rumors of his early departure had circulated since April. At the time, Musk suggested his primary objectives – including identifying $1 trillion in deficit reductions – had been largely accomplished.

However, administration insiders described Musk as a “political liability” whose public disagreements with key Trump policies created ongoing challenges. The tariff dispute proved particularly contentious given Tesla’s significant manufacturing presence in China.

With this departure, Musk returns his full attention to his corporate empire, including Tesla, SpaceX, and his social media platform X, while the Trump administration continues its economic policies without one of its most high-profile – and controversial – advisors.