A tense exchange during a CBS News interview with David Pogue appears to have triggered Elon Musk’s resignation from his post as Director of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Trump administration.
The billionaire entrepreneur, best known for leading Tesla and SpaceX, was asked a range of policy questions during the recorded conversation, including about tariffs, immigration bans, and ultimately, the administration’s massive new spending bill—a subject that proved too consequential to ignore.
Although Musk initially deflected, saying he preferred to “stick to the subject of the day, which is like spaceships,” he soon veered into commentary about his increasingly uncomfortable role in the White House.
“It’s difficult for me to bring that up in an interview because then it creates a bone of contention,” Musk said. “I don’t want to speak up against the administration, but I also don’t want to take responsibility for everything the administration’s doing.”
His most pointed criticism came when addressing the Trump administration’s $3.8 trillion spending bill, which had recently passed the House and was headed to the Senate for debate. Citing figures from the Congressional Budget Office, the interviewer noted that the bill could wipe out any fiscal gains made by DOGE—Musk’s own government initiative aimed at cutting waste and boosting efficiency.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit,” Musk said. “Everything DOGE has done gets wiped out in the first year… I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful. I don’t know if it can be both.”
The clip went viral soon after CBS News posted a promotional segment online. According to sources familiar with the situation, Musk’s comments quickly reached the White House, prompting internal discussions about his future in the administration.
Within 24 hours, Musk released a statement confirming his departure:
“Effective immediately, I am stepping down from my role in the Trump administration as Director of Government Efficiency.”
While no formal White House response has been issued, federal employees say DOGE’s operations had already been under strain, with little progress toward Musk’s initial goal of cutting $1 trillion in government waste.
Now, as the Senate prepares to take up the spending bill—and with Musk officially out—questions swirl about the future of DOGE and whether anyone can salvage its mission.
