Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and Trump’s favorite tech bro, is taking a step back from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In a characteristically dramatic post on X, he announced: “Back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms. I must be super focused on X/xAI and Tesla (plus Starship launch next week), as we have critical technologies rolling out.” Translation: He’s too busy being a billionaire to bother with bureaucratic red tape.
Musk’s exit comes just shy of the 130-day threshold that would’ve forced him to fulfill congressional oversight and transparency requirements. Call it a coincidence, or call it an ultra-wealthy dodge. Also conveniently timed: his public disappointment over what Trump has dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” – a massive defense spending package Musk says “undermines” his supposed work of cutting costs. Meanwhile, Musk’s Tesla has been taking heat with falling sales and mounting protests, and Musk may be looking to get out of the political spotlight before the blowback gets worse.
Whatever the reason for his exit, let’s keep it simple: don’t let the Starship door hit you on the way out.
