After four chaotic months as Trump’s “First Buddy” at DOGE, Elon Musk is stepping down—and things behind the scenes are messier than a Tesla recall. With his famous promise to slash $2 trillion from spending, Musk walks away with a controversial (and hard-to-prove) $175 billion. It comes amid reports of heavy drug use, personal trouble, and a rapidly deteriorating image.
The damage seems deep, with critics warning his cuts have caused humanitarian crises abroad, but Musk dismisses criticism, saying DOGE will “only grow stronger.” Tesla shareholders are getting anxious, with sales down 13% this year alone and Musk’s personal reputation in the spotlight. One thing is clear: Musk’s stint in government might just be his most expensive side job.
