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April 2, 2025—The rumor mill is buzzing: Elon Musk, the tech titan behind Tesla and SpaceX, might be stepping down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since January, Musk has been slashing federal spending with a zeal that’s rattled Washington, but now, whispers of his exit—planned or pressured—are sparking debate. At Ashes on Air, we’re digging into the facts: what Musk’s said, what the White House claims, and what’s really at stake as DOGE’s mission unfolds.

DOGE: A Billionaire’s Budget Axe

Musk took the reins of DOGE on January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating this cost-cutting powerhouse within the White House. Officially tasked with modernizing federal tech and slashing $1 trillion in spending, per the White House order, DOGE’s mission is as bold as its leader. Musk, appointed as a Special Government Employee (SGE)—a temporary federal role capped at 130 days—has targeted everything from foreign aid to agency payrolls, claiming on X to cut waste at “$4 billion a day.”

The results? Eye-popping. DOGE’s cut over $55 billion so far, per its own tally, though only $16 billion is itemized—think $6.5 billion from USAID and $502 million from Education. Musk’s boasted of halving the $2 trillion deficit, telling Fox News in March, “We’ll have accomplished most of the work by late May.” That’s when his SGE term expires, hinting at a planned exit around May 29, 2025.

The Step-Down Buzz: Plan or Push?

So, is Musk leaving? He’s said yes—sort of. In that Fox News chat, Musk tied his departure to hitting the $1 trillion mark, saying, “I think we can do it within that timeframe.” That aligns with his 130-day limit, landing him at late May. But today, April 2, fresh reports—like Politico’s via Rachael Bade on X—claim Trump’s told his inner circle Musk’s out “in weeks,” citing frustrations over his unpredictability and political baggage.

The White House and Musk aren’t buying it. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fired back on X: “This ‘scoop’ is garbage. Elon will depart when his incredible work at DOGE is complete.” Musk chimed in, “Yeah, fake news,” with a cheeky historical meme, doubling down on his denial. The official line? He’s staying until the job’s done—May or bust.

Controversy in the Crosshairs

DOGE’s breakneck pace has stirred chaos. Lawsuits pile up—unions and Democrats allege Musk’s overreach violates laws, from accessing Treasury data to axing agencies like USAID. Tesla’s stock has tanked 34% this year, per the Treasury, with Musk blaming backlash on X: “It’s costing me a lot.” Critics see conflicts—SpaceX’s NASA contracts, Tesla’s market woes—while supporters, like Rep. Tim Burchett, cheer DOGE’s “path to prosperity.”

What’s Next?

If Musk exits in May, DOGE’s future’s murky. Trump’s hinted at agency heads taking over, but without Musk’s clout, can it keep cutting? The agency sunsets July 4, 2026, per the executive order, but Musk’s early out could shift the timeline. For now, he’s still swinging the axe—and the world’s watching.

Got thoughts? Is Musk’s DOGE a game-changer or a gamble? Share below and let’s unpack this together. At Ashes on Air, we’re here for the real story—because today’s cuts could reshape tomorrow.

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Sources

• White House – DOGE Executive Order
• X – Elon Musk on Fake News
• X – Karoline Leavitt on Musk’s Role
• X – Rachael Bade on Musk Stepping Back
• X – MJTruthUltra on Fake News Claim
• Treasury Department – DOGE Statement
• U.S. Department of Commerce – Spending Cuts
• NBC – Musk on DOGE Backlash