Musk told CBS News that he's "disappointed" by the "massive spending bill" passed by the House last week, arguing that it "undermines" the work of his DOGE team. Musk created DOGE to fight what he calls the "existential" threat of a national debt spiral. His team claims to have saved $175 billion in taxpayer money — though even that figure is widely seen as inflated.

The billionaire thanked US President Donald Trump - and said he was stepping down as his "scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end". The Tesla owner - who led the Department of Government Efficiency - said he was thankful "for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending".

“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,” he wrote. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” Musk had criticized Trump’s “big beautiful” spending bill, saying he was “disappointed” in it and that it is a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and “undermines the work” of DOGE.