'I’ve Done Enough': Top 5 Quotes From Elon Musk Post DOGE Exit

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and social platform X, is officially stepping back from his controversial role in the Trump administration, signaling a return to his tech roots and a retreat from the political arena.

In a string of recent interviews, including a widely viewed sit-down with CBS Sunday Morning and comments to Ars Technica, Musk voiced his growing frustration with the direction of government policy and his disillusionment with President Trump’s massive new budget legislation. Known for his once-close relationship with Trump and his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is now publicly distancing himself from the administration he helped shape.

At 5:31 AM Elon Musk shared a post on X saying, “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. 
The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”

Here are the top five quotes that capture Musk’s shift in tone and priorities as he exits DOGE:

1. “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit … and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
In a pointed rebuke of Trump’s signature “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” Musk criticized the legislation for reversing the cost-cutting measures DOGE had pursued. The bill, which expands tax cuts, border spending, and adds Medicaid work requirements, is projected to add $3.8 trillion to the deficit by 2034.

2. “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion."
This soundbite, now circulating widely on social media, underscores Musk’s dissatisfaction with Trump’s branding of the bill. It also highlights Musk’s frustration with the performative nature of politics, as he distances himself from Washington spin.

3. “I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics.”
Speaking to Ars Technica while watching a SpaceX Starship launch in Texas, Musk acknowledged what many of his critics — including Tesla investors — had long suspected: his political involvement had become a distraction from his primary ventures.

4. “It’s not like I left the companies. It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I’ve reduced that significantly in recent weeks.”
Musk defended his dual roles, but admitted that the balance had tipped too far toward politics. With Tesla stock down earlier in the year and SpaceX facing technical challenges, the billionaire now says he's recalibrating.

5. “I think I’ve done enough.”
In perhaps the most definitive statement of his withdrawal, Musk told CBS News he would scale back both his political spending and involvement. The comment suggests that his once-ambitious reform goals through DOGE have met their limit — or their match — in the entrenched forces of federal bureaucracy and partisan politics.

Ties with Trump

Once a near-constant presence in the West Wing, Musk is now rarely mentioned in Trump’s public comments. Sources close to the administration suggest the break is mutual, with both figures pursuing divergent goals heading into a tumultuous election year.

In April, Musk informed Tesla investors of his intention to step back from his role at the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Earlier this month, during remarks at the Qatar Economic Forum, he stated he would be spending a "lot less" on politics going forward.

Earlier in the year, Musk came under fire from Tesla investors who questioned his focus and dedication to the company.

Tesla’s stock took a significant hit during the last quarter, plunging as much as 35% below its opening price for the year by April. However, shares have been gradually recovering throughout May after Musk announced he would scale back his political involvement.

Tesla has not yet responded to a request for comment. Meanwhile, Tuesday’s Starship flight did not unfold as planned. The spacecraft successfully reached space, but failed in its first-ever attempt to deploy a payload—eight mock-up Starlink satellites. The rocket then spiraled out of control, descended toward the Indian Ocean without conducting key tests on engine re-ignition and heat shield durability, and likely disintegrated midair.

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