Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has officially stepped down from his role in the Trump administration, leaving behind the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
His departure, announced on May 28, 2025, came with a noticeable black eye that sparked curiosity and speculation. Here’s a look at what happened to Musk’s eye, why he’s leaving, his impact at DOGE, and what’s next for him and the agency.
The Black Eye Mystery
Musk was spotted with a black eye during his White House farewell, prompting questions about its cause.
According to posts on X, Musk explained it was the result of a playful punch from his son, X. “Musk says playful punch from son X caused bruise seen during Trump sendoff,” one post noted, adding that he exited his role “with trademark humor, citing ‘no France involved.’”
Musk himself said that him and his son were “horsing around” when he got his black eye.
No official reports suggest anything more serious, but the internet buzzed with lighthearted conspiracy theories, including some joking about Musk “fighting bureaucracy” too literally or getting into a scuffle with political rivals.
These remain unverified and seem to be in jest rather than based on evidence.
Why Musk Is Leaving
Musk’s exit from his role as a special government employee was planned, as his time with DOGE was always meant to be temporary.
He announced his departure on X, stating, “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 expressed frustration with the challenges of reforming federal bureaucracy, telling The Washington Post, “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.”
His departure also follows tensions with the Trump administration over a massive spending bill, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Musk criticized for increasing the federal deficit. “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” he told CBS News.
This public disagreement with Trump’s agenda likely contributed to his decision to step back and focus on his companies, Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI.
What Musk Did at DOGE
As the public face of DOGE, Musk led efforts to streamline federal operations and cut costs. The initiative, launched by executive order on Trump’s first day in office, aimed to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.
DOGE’s actions included layoffs and agency shutdowns affecting nearly 12% of the federal civilian workforce
Musk claimed significant savings, with DOGE’s website reporting $175 billion saved through asset sales, contract cancellations, and fraud prevention.
Fraud Uncovered by DOGE
DOGE uncovered several instances of alleged waste and fraud.
Musk highlighted cases like schools spending $60,000 of COVID-relief funds on swimming pool passes and a California district buying an ice cream truck. “They were basically partying on the taxpayers’ dollars,” Musk told Fox News.
Additionally, DOGE found questionable spending at the Institute for Peace, including a $130,000 contract with a former Taliban member and funds used for private jets.
The agency also reported 57 cases of suspected voter fraud turned over to the Justice Department and efforts to curb fraudulent Social Security benefits through system tweaks.
Despite Musk’s exit, the White House insists DOGE’s mission continues.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse will continue,” with DOGE now led by “each and every member of the President’s cabinet and the President himself.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson also affirmed, “The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government.”
A $9 billion rescission package to codify some cuts is being prepared for Congress, though it’s only a fraction of Musk’s ambitious targets.
However, resistance persists. Some cuts have faced legal challenges, and Republicans in Congress have pushed back due to impacts on their districts.
Critics argue that DOGE’s actions disrupted essential services and targeted agencies overseeing Musk’s companies.
What’s Next for Musk
Musk is returning to his business empire, emphasizing a renewed focus on Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI.
He told CBS News he needs to be “super focused on X/xAI and Tesla” and plans to cut back on political spending after investing nearly $290 million in the 2024 election.
His companies have faced some damage, with Tesla reporting a 71% drop in Q1 profits, partly attributed to Musk’s polarizing role in Washington.
Who’s in Charge of DOGE Now?
No single replacement for Musk has been named. The White House has indicated that DOGE’s operations are now embedded across federal agencies, with cabinet members and President Trump overseeing its ongoing efforts.
Amy Gleason, the acting DOGE administrator, was noted in a court filing as the official Musk reported to, but no new public face has been announced.
As he exits, Musk’s focus on his businesses and reduced political involvement signal a shift, but DOGE’s long-term impact remains uncertain but hopeful.
Musk’s farewell press conference with Trump
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