Elon Musk leaves White House: Who will succeed Trump's 'first buddy' and what happens to DOGE now?

Elon Musk announced on social media that he is leaving his role in the Trump administration, a departure the White House confirmed was in process on Wednesday evening. The decision of Musk came after he helped lead a tumultuous drive to shrink the size of US government that saw thousands of federal jobs axed. In a post on his social media platform X, the world's richest man thanked Trump for the opportunity to help run the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

“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,” the billionaire wrote on X, his social media platform.

“The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he said, referring to his “department of government efficiency.”


Musk is pivoting from DC and Doge’s failures – and wants investors to know. A White House official told Reuters it was accurate Musk is leaving the administration and his “off-boarding will begin tonight.”

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The day before his departure, Musk broke with Trump by criticizing his massive tax and spending bill that the president has dubbed the "big, beautiful bill." The bill, which includes Trump's domestic agenda on items ranging from border security to tax cuts, passed the House along party lines last week. It now heads to the Senate.

Musk once appointed himself as Trump's 'first buddy' and his departure was sudden and unceremonious. Musk did not have a formal conversation with Trump before announcing he was leaving the administration, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, who added that his exit was decided “at a senior staff level.”

What happens to DOGE now?

The South African-born tech tycoon had been designated as a "special government employee" - allowing him to work a federal job for 130 days each year.

As the head of DOGE and a senior adviser to the White House, Musk spearheaded a controversial campaign to swiftly eliminate what he labeled as “waste and fraud” within the government, significantly downsizing the federal workforce. DOGE, staffed by over 100 government employees, is expected to continue its operations despite Musk's departure. However, questions remain about how much influence the group will retain without its high-profile leader at the helm.

Musk had already shifted his attention back to his business empire after Tesla, his electric car company, suffered financial losses after he became a polarizing figure as President Donald Trump's team. Musk told investors on an earnings call last month that the time he allocates to Doge "will drop significantly" and that he would be "allocating far more of my time to Tesla".

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Activists have called for Tesla boycotts, staging protests outside Tesla dealerships, and vandalising the vehicles and charging stations.

The Tesla blowback became so violent and widespread that US Attorney General Pam Bondi warned her office would treat acts of vandalism as "domestic terrorism".

Who Will Succeed Musk at DOGE?

With Elon Musk’s departure from DOGE, the pressing question is: who will take the helm next? While the Trump administration has yet to name a successor, several potential candidates are already being discussed.

Top Contender: Vivek Ramaswamy

Vivek Ramaswamy, who once co-led DOGE alongside Musk before stepping down to run for governor of Ohio, is considered a strong contender. Although no longer actively involved, Ramaswamy has remained vocal in his support for DOGE’s mission. His foundational role in shaping the department may influence the administration’s decision.

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Other Notable Candidates

Tom Krause

Currently serving as the Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and CEO of Cloud Software Group, Krause brings both public and private sector experience. His dual roles have raised some ethical concerns, but his leadership background could make him a serious candidate for the position.

Luke Farritor

A software engineer with experience at SpaceX and a focus on artificial intelligence, Farritor has contributed to DOGE’s technological initiatives. His deep understanding of both government systems and advanced tech may position him well to lead the department.

Marko Elez

Elez has held high-level access within the Treasury Department and played a key role in managing financial infrastructure. His experience with federal payment systems and foreign aid oversight connects directly to DOGE’s core functions.

Amy Gleason

Serving as the current acting administrator, Gleason brings continuity to DOGE’s leadership. With a background at the U.S. Digital Service and expertise in product management, she has been instrumental in the department’s day-to-day operations. Reporting to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Gleason’s steady leadership may appeal to those seeking stability.

FAQs

Why did Elon Musk leave DOGE in the Trump administration?

Elon Musk announced his departure after leading efforts to reduce the size of the US government and expressed concerns about a massive tax and spending bill proposed by Trump.

What position did Elon Musk hold in the Trump administration?

Musk served as a Special Government Employee and was the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).