Behind the Scenes of Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s Split: The Bitter Wealth and Middle East Journey

Much had been heard about Elon Musk’s entry into Donald Trump’s administration. Initially, Musk was expected to bring order to the government’s finances, with his role in the Office of Government Efficiency being temporary. However, on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), Musk announced his departure from the administration, leaving behind sharp criticisms of Donald Trump and the American president’s management. “As my scheduled period working as a special government employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for giving me the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk stated via X. He added that the mission of @DOGE would only strengthen over time and become a way of life across the entire government. It appears Musk is not leaving with the best impressions of Trump’s administration, as relations between the two powerful men have reached their worst phase. In a CBS interview, Tesla’s chief advisor remarked that Trump’s tax bill not only fails to reduce the deficit but increases it while undermining the work done by the DOGE team. Despite Musk being one of Trump’s main donors during the 2024 elections and pledging $100 million to Republican groups ahead of the 2026 midterms, funds have reportedly not materialized. Musk regrets dedicating too much time to politics, stating, “I think I might have spent a bit too much time on politics.” When asked about Musk’s criticism, Trump avoided direct comment, defending his legislation instead. Trump never mentioned Musk’s name. Before Trump’s trip to the Middle East, Musk opposed a deal involving a rival AI company and the UAE for constructing a massive data center in Abu Dhabi. Although Musk accompanied Trump on the Middle Eastern trip, he rarely received public acknowledgment from the president, who favored other advisors over him.