On Capitol Hill, feelings are running hot on both the left and the right as Elon Musk heads for the exit.
President Trump nominated tech billionaire Elon Musk to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the first one hundred thirty days in office, but Musk is now withdrawing from that role.
His return to the private sector, announced earlier this week, has only added fuel to the fire of his controversial reputation in Washington. While Democrats rejoiced at Musk’s departure, Republicans praised his efforts.
“Exposing reckless, wasteful government spending isn’t about one individual — it’s about a lasting overhaul of Crazy Town,” Aaron Bean, R-Fla., Chair of the House DOGE Caucus, told HeadlinesForever Digital. “That’s why we’re working closely with the White House to ensure recession packages reflect DOGE’s critical findings.”
With a $9.4 billion package of budget cutbacks set to reach Congress on Tuesday, the White House has already started that process. Republicans, according to Bean’s remarks, will be looking for more.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., seemed to share this opinion when he stated that Musk “did a lot of what he came to do.”
Hopefully, we can include many of the savings he proposed in legislation that Congress approves. It was crucial that he completed this assignment. Thune stated that it was long overdue.
It was “honored” for Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, to collaborate with Musk, but Ernst implied that legislators shouldn’t rely on Musk to reduce wasteful spending.
“Having a willing partner in my decade-long work to make Washington squeal has been wonderful, but I was DOGE before DOGE was cool, and I’m not slowing down,” Ernst told HeadlinesForever Digital in a statement.
Some Republicans were more effusive in their appreciation; for example, Florida Republican Mike Haridopolos called Musk a “American hero.”
As Haridopolos expressed to HeadlinesForever Digital, “I’m absolutely sad to see him go,” the news truly broke her. “He has given up a lot of time and wealth in order to bring the fiscal house of the United States in order, and he has done a great service to our country by bringing a heck of a lot more transparency of how we’re spending money.”
Additionally, Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas likened the wealthy individual to the nation’s famous founding fathers.
He resembles both Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to a certain extent. I just recall that all of our founding fathers were patriotic and quit their normal occupations; he has the imagination of Benjamin Franklin and the foresight of Thomas Jefferson. In order to come and help create our country, they sacrificed everything. Marshall informed HeadlinesForever Digital that Elon had done just that.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) from the opposite party noted that while Republicans praised Musk, he had already hurt the House Republicans earlier in the week by critiquing their “big, beautiful” budget and tax plan.
“They brought Musk to DC to fight the deficit, and he left DC calling out how the reconciliation bill will blow the biggest hole in the deficit ever — adding more than $3 trillion in debt,” according to Suozzi.
California Democrat Ro Khanna told HeadlinesForever Digital that, ultimately, he thought DOGE’s efforts were pointless.
Where there is actual waste, like as with defense contractors, Medicare Advantage overpayments, and prescription medications, I first suggested we collaborate with Musk to identify common ground. According to Khanna, it is unfortunate that DOGE encountered resistance when attempting to address such concerns and that organizations like as USAID and NIH are being abolished.
Some liberals attacked Musk head-on.
Democrats have used the Tesla CEO as a scapegoat ever since he started advocating for Trump, claiming that he exemplifies the rich, disconnected elite that they felt the Republican administration was favoring.
On X, Democratic Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett criticized Elon Musk, writing, “Elon came to Washington thinking he could run the government like one of his companies—firing people left and right, gutting essential services, and tearing this s— up from the ground up.” Crockett called for a probe into Musk’s efforts.
Meanwhile, Democratic Texas Representative Greg Casar claimed responsibility for Musk’s departure despite the fact that his term was fixed.
Democrats and working people have won a huge win with Musk’s departure. That the anti-corruption, anti-billionaire campaign in the US can be so effective is a testament to its strength, Casar stated. Musk stayed put because he is a rule follower, which is important to Elon Musk. The American people exerted sufficient political pressure to force Musk to resign.
And on X, New Jersey Democrat and possible 2028 presidential contender Cory Booker commented, “Musk failed others and served himself.”
Ironically, in his attempt to demolish government, he served to highlight its significance. To ensure the safety of aircraft, to distribute Social Security benefits, to watch out for children going hungry, and to accomplish the unsung tasks that contribute to the greater good, Booker stated.
White House spokesman Harrison Fields informed HeadlinesForever Digital that the mission of DOGE, as stated in the president’s executive order, will be carried out by agency and department heads in the Trump administration when asked to comment on the story. Even though it is still early in the game, DOGE has already achieved outstanding outcomes at a breakneck rate. In addition, HeadlinesForever Digital contacted Tesla in an effort to obtain a statement from Musk.
During Friday’s joint news conference, Trump was effusive in his praise of Musk.
Throughout contemporary history, Elon’s devotion to the United States has stood alone. After comparing his factories to some of the older ones we have, it’s clear that he’s already operating a world-class innovator in the automotive industry. And the most prosperous space corporation, I suppose, ever. “The biggest online platform for free speech,” Trump declared.
“Yet, Elon, willingly, with all of the success, he willingly accepted the outrageous abuse and slander and lies and attacks because he does love our country.”