As Elon Musk exited his four-month role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reports suggest President Donald Trump expressed skepticism over Musk’s high-profile cost-cutting promises.
According to a Wall Street Journal report published on May 30—the same day Musk’s contract expired—Trump privately asked aides, “Was it all bulls—?”, referring to Musk’s earlier claim that DOGE could save the federal government $2 trillion.
From bold promises to modest results
Musk, who served as a special government employee for 130 days, initially forecasted historic savings. But by the time he stepped down, DOGE had reported roughly $175 billion in savings—far below expectations. Critics now question the accuracy of that number, with some news outlets suggesting the figure was inflated or offset by legal fees and revenue losses from budget cuts.
Despite stepping away, Musk remained upbeat. Speaking at a press event alongside Trump on May 30, he said, “This is not the end of DOGE. This is only the beginning.” He added that the agency could still deliver $1 trillion in long-term savings.
Behind-the-scenes tension
While the White House presented a united front, the Journal report detailed growing internal frustrations:
- Musk allegedly withheld information from top officials, who learned about DOGE developments through the press.
- He reportedly insulted trade adviser Peter Navarro and complained about how government work affected his business.
- He privately opposed Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, calling them a threat to the global economy.
Tensions escalated further when Musk requested top-secret intelligence briefings on China—an idea Trump reportedly dismissed over conflict-of-interest concerns. Friction also emerged during a trip to Saudi Arabia, where Musk pushed back against rival Sam Altman’s involvement in a high-profile deal, ultimately leading to Altman’s removal from a public event.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was reportedly asked to “monitor” Musk more closely during this period.
Public praise, private doubt
Despite the friction, Trump publicly praised Musk and presented him with a ceremonial “Key to the White House.” Yet, insiders cited by the Journal claimed Trump had shown “flashes of skepticism and frustration” about Musk’s performance.
That skepticism may have intensified after Musk criticized Trump’s sweeping “Big, Beautiful Bill” in a June 1 interview. Musk called the bill a “massive spending increase” that undermined DOGE’s work, citing its projected $3.8 trillion addition to the national deficit.
New controversies erupt
The day of Musk’s departure also saw the release of a New York Times report alleging the tech billionaire had a history of intense drug use during the 2024 campaign season. Sources claimed Musk admitted to using ketamine, mushrooms, ecstasy, and Adderall—raising fresh questions about his conduct while serving in a government role.
Musk quickly fired back at the Times, accusing the paper of false reporting and referencing its coverage of the Russia investigation: “Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate?”
What happens next?
While Musk may no longer be in a formal government role, he pledged to remain an adviser to Trump and supporter of DOGE. But with doubts over savings, policy clashes, and personal controversies stacking up, questions remain about his lasting impact on federal efficiency—and his future political role.
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