Staff Reports
Elon Musk’s turbulent role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is nearing its end, but not before a bombshell revelation threatens to shake Washington. Here’s the latest:
Musk joined the Trump administration as a “special government employee” tasked with slashing federal spending. DOGE, created via executive order on Inauguration Day, aimed to cut $1 trillion from the deficit by canceling contracts, downsizing agencies, and eliminating waste. However, Musk’s aggressive tactics—including mass layoffs and hiring freezes—drew fierce backlash. Critics labeled his cost-cutting measures “reckless” and “harmful,” citing canceled programs like a Veterans Affairs clinical trial for cancer patients.
In recent days, Trump hinted that Musk’s team uncovered “something horrible” during audits of federal agencies. While details remain undisclosed, Trump vowed to reveal it soon, claiming it involves “fraud and abuse” worth “millions of dollars”. This aligns with earlier reports of DOGE identifying expired contracts still being funded and phantom employees.
The pending revelation has fueled speculation about “mass resignations”:
– DOGE employees are already being shifted to federal agencies, with layoffs accelerating.
– Cabinet secretaries have clashed with Musk over staffing cuts, including Sen. Marco Rubio, who publicly challenged Musk’s methods.
– Trump has softened his tone, urging agencies to use a “scalpel” instead of a “sledgehammer” amid negative media coverage of layoffs.
Musk’s temporary government role expires in May 2025 (130 days after Trump’s inauguration). Trump has praised Musk as a “patriot” but acknowledged he must return to Tesla and SpaceX. DOGE itself is winding down, with Trump stating “it will end” once agencies adopt its cost-cutting strategies.
Musk’s polarizing tenure has hurt his reputation:
– His endorsement of a failed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate wasted $21 million.
– Tesla sales dropped 13% amid backlash over his political ties.
– Democrats capitalized on his low approval ratings to flip key judicial seats.
While Trump insists their relationship remains strong, the DOGE experiment highlights the risks of merging corporate disruption with government bureaucracy. The coming weeks will determine whether Musk’s “horrifying discovery” sparks real reform—or further chaos.
