Even former President Donald Trump expressed skepticism regarding Elon Musk’s capabilities to slash $1 trillion from federal spending. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump questioned his advisers, asking, “Was it all bulls--t?” in reference to Musk’s proposed cost reductions under the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk had vowed to achieve a staggering $1 trillion reduction in the federal budget but ultimately managed to cut only $170 billion, as reported by DOGE’s own assessments. These figures have faced scrutiny, raising questions about the effectiveness of Musk's initiatives. The relationship between Musk and Trump was often fraught with tension; Trump reportedly found Musk's eccentric humor perplexing, remarking that Musk was “50 percent genius, 50 percent boy.”
This week, Musk announced his departure from the White House, marking the end of a tumultuous tenure characterized by mass layoffs, policy reversals, and legal challenges. Tensions escalated between Musk and Trump’s staff, prompting Trump to instruct White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to take a more active role in managing Musk. Interestingly, Trump was not even aware of Musk's departure until he made the announcement via social media platform X.
In the wake of Musk's contentious exit, his financial dealings have also come under scrutiny. After previously donating $288 million to Trump’s last campaign, Musk has now become less forthcoming with funds. Earlier this year, he indicated a willingness to contribute $100 million to organizations aligned with Trump’s team ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, but as of this week, those funds have yet to materialize.
Musk’s four-month tenure in the White House was reportedly marred by allegations of frequent drug use, as highlighted in a revealing report by the New York Times. Sources indicated that Musk had experimented with substances like ecstasy, magic mushrooms, and was a regular user of ketamine, which led to severe health issues, including bladder problems. Additionally, he was said to carry a pill case containing Adderall.
Following the New York Times report, both Republicans and Democrats have linked Musk's alleged drug use to his unpredictable behavior. Incidents such as his Nazi-like salute during Trump’s inauguration and his often incoherent interviews have raised concerns about his judgment during critical moments.
Musk’s departure from the Trump administration is further compounded by the plummeting sales of his electric vehicle company, Tesla. Reports indicate that Tesla's net income dropped by an alarming 71 percent in the first quarter alone. In a private conversation, Musk acknowledged the need to alleviate the pressure on himself and his companies.
Despite Musk's exit, Trump predicted that Musk wouldn’t be gone for long. “Elon is not really leaving,” Trump stated on Friday. “He’s going to be back and forth.” This statement hints at a potential ongoing relationship between the two, despite the challenges that have characterized their interactions.
