Elon Musk and Donald Trump: a duo that grabbed headlines and stirred controversy, but their relationship was far from straightforward. While Musk was once seen as one of Trump’s closest allies in government, he wasn’t shy about admitting that they didn’t always see eye to eye.
In a recent interview with CBS News’ Sunday Morning, Musk opened up about the ups and downs of his time working with the Trump administration. “It’s not like I agree with everything the administration does,” he shared in a teaser for the full interview airing June 1. “I mean, I agree with much of what the administration does, but we have differences of opinion.”
The DOGE Chronicles: Cuts, Clashes, and Controversy
As head of DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency, a task force focused on slashing federal spending—Musk made waves with his aggressive cost-cutting approach. The initiative aimed to shrink the sprawling federal government, but it sparked plenty of pushback. Reports suggest Musk locked horns behind closed doors with key players like State Secretary Marco Rubio over the scale of DOGE’s budget cuts, and also with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding decisions about leadership at the IRS.
Interestingly, these clashes never played out in the public eye. Musk explained why: “The things that I don’t entirely agree with, but it’s difficult for me to bring that up in an interview, because then it creates a bone of contention.” He went on, “So then I’m a little stuck in a bind where I’m like, ‘Well, I don’t want to speak up against the administration, but I also don’t want to take responsibility for everything the administration is doing.’” It’s a tricky spot for anyone in politics, especially a high-profile tech mogul.
The Public’s View: A Whipping Boy and a Critic
Despite his high-profile role, Musk’s time at DOGE wasn’t exactly a public relations win. Multiple polls showed that a large chunk of Americans disapproved of the task force’s approach and, by extension, Musk himself. “DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,” Musk lamented to The Washington Post earlier this week. “So, like, something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.”
His candor reveals the harsh reality of government work: even when you try to streamline and save money, you can easily become the scapegoat for frustrations with the system.
The Fallout: Business and Government Woes
While Musk wrestled with government inefficiencies and political minefields, his own businesses took some hits. Tesla, his flagship electric car company, reported a shocking 71% drop in profits during the first quarter of the year. SpaceX, his space exploration venture, suffered a public setback when one of its ships lost control shortly after launch over the weekend.
After these setbacks, Musk vowed to refocus on Tesla, signaling that he’d dial back his government commitments. The news came alongside the formal announcement of his exit from the Trump administration on Wednesday night, wrapping up a brief but turbulent 130-day stint. His departure marked a slow fade from the government spotlight—by the end, he had been pushed increasingly out of the inner circle.
Savings Promises vs. Reality
At the start of his government role, Musk promised big savings—up to $2 trillion by cutting wasteful spending. But in reality, DOGE’s cuts only tallied to about $175 billion, according to their own estimates. That’s a massive gap, and critics were quick to highlight it as a failure of Musk’s grand vision.
Still, Musk managed to pull one last move before leaving. He recruited Katie Miller, a top Trump aide and the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, to join his team full-time. This move was notable because it showed Musk was building his own inner circle, perhaps preparing for life outside of government.
The Miller Connection and Political Crossroads
Katie Miller’s departure alongside Musk stirred speculation. Just a day before, Stephen Miller publicly defended Trump’s huge spending bill—the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”—against Musk’s sharp criticism. Musk had slammed the bill for increasing the budget deficit and undermining DOGE’s efforts to cut government waste.
Katie Miller chimed in on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying why the bill couldn’t include DOGE’s discretionary spending cuts: “You cannot cut discretionary spending (only mandatory) in a reconciliation bill. So DOGE cuts would have to be done through what is known as a rescissions package or an appropriations bill.” Despite the public sparring, there seemed to be no real personal fallout between these key players.
In fact, Miller praised DOGE’s work on X after Musk’s departure: “The work DOGE has done to eliminate government waste and corruption—the rot embedded deep within Washington—is among the most valuable services ever rendered to government. And the work has only just begun.” That’s some strong praise for a team many criticized harshly.
Good Terms and Future Roles
Sources close to the Trump administration told CBS that Musk left on good terms and remains friends with the president. A senior official explained, “This isn’t a separation, but just a return to the private sector for Musk. He will continue to be a friend to the president, and we can characterize that as an ‘adviser.’”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed this sentiment on Fox News, telling host Laura Ingraham, “I know Elon is still very, very close to the President and I think he’s going to stay exactly there.” This suggests Musk’s influence might continue quietly behind the scenes.
What’s Next? A Final White House Bow
Even after stepping down from his government role, Musk isn’t disappearing from the spotlight just yet. Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Musk will appear alongside him at a White House press conference on Friday. “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific! See you tomorrow at the White House,” Trump said.
So, what does this all mean? Musk’s government chapter may be closing, but his relationship with Trump—and his impact on politics and business—remains a story still unfolding.
Key Takeaways:
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Musk and Trump’s relationship was complex: Close allies but with real disagreements.
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DOGE’s cuts were controversial: $175 billion saved vs. $2 trillion promised.
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Behind-the-scenes clashes: Heated disagreements with top officials kept out of the public eye.
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Public backlash: Americans mostly disapproved of Musk’s government role.
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Business struggles: Tesla profits tanked, SpaceX faced setbacks during Musk’s political stint.
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Continued influence: Musk leaving on good terms, still advising Trump privately.
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Political intrigue: Recruitment of Katie Miller, and nuanced debates over government spending bills.
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Future appearances: Musk will join Trump at a White House press event despite leaving the official role.
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