Elon Musk has abruptly exited the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, on May 28, 2025, capping a short, stormy tenure that promised to zap bureaucracy like a Tesla on autopilot. Created under Donald Trump’s 2025 re-election platform, DOGE aimed to streamline federal operations and slash spending. Musk, the tech mogul known for his wild ideas, stepped in as a special employee for just 130 days, thanks to ethics rules. It was a bold experiment, blending Silicon Valley swagger with government grind. But, oh, the irony—bureaucracy didn’t bend as easily as a SpaceX rocket. Additionally, his initiatives included annual savings estimated at up to $171 million from canceling underused federal building leases.

Elon Musk zaps out of DOGE after 130 days, where bold promises clashed with unyielding bureaucracy.

DOGE’s goals? Optimize like a tech startup, cut costs, and eliminate waste. Musk hyped massive savings and reforms, but critics slammed the lack of real strategy. Layoffs hit hard, stirring chaos. Public accountability? Yeah, right—his corporate secrecy clashed with open government demands. It was all flash and frustration, like promising a self-driving car but handing over a clunky prototype.

His leadership? Disruptive, sure, but more circus than success. Musk’s style rattled traditional frameworks, yet achievements felt symbolic at best. Despite the setbacks, he oversaw significant reductions in government expenditure totaling around $160 billion. Politically, this tied into Trump’s agenda, spotlighting tech billionaires’ growing influence. Questions swirled about moguls meddling in policy, even as Tesla’s stock dipped from the drama.

Now, with Musk’s departure, DOGE’s future hangs in the balance. It exposed gaps in legal oversight for these short-term gigs. Public reaction? Mixed—some cheered the shake-up, others mocked the mess. As Silicon Valley’s political bets grow, this episode leaves a legacy of hype and humble pie. What a ride, huh? Bureaucracy survived, un-zapped and unapologetic.