Like every story, Elon Musk’s saga at the White House has also come to an end. Though one might wonder if this is how Musk saw his departure from the White House. We are sure Musk himself thought that after saving millions of dollars of governmental money albeit causing a damage of another few millions, Musk would depart with cheers and applause.
However, his brief tenure in the Donald Trump‘s administration reached its boiling point in an unexpected manner. Apparently, Elon Musk got into a heated confrontation with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The dispute arose when Musk attempted to appoint IRS chief Gary Shapley without Bessent’s approval. This led to a profane shouting match in the West Wing. Bessent’s intense objections showed the growing tensions within the administration. Not everyone at the White House and Capitol agreed over Musk’s aggressive management style.
Musk’s approach has often been described as a “chainsaw” method. He aimed at rapid and sweeping changes within the federal government. However, this strategy created a significant tussle among senior officials. Especially those who found his tactics disruptive and lacking in collaboration could not stay quiet any longer.
ELON MUSK AND TREASURY SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT GOT INTO A SCREAMING MATCH IN THE WHITE HOUSE IN FRONT OF TRUMP LAST WEEK
BESSENT SLAMMED MUSK’S OVERPROMISED AND UNDERDELIVERED DOGE PLANS WHILE MUSK CALLED HIM A “SOROS AGENT” AND HIM OUT FOR A “FAILED HEDGE FUND” PER AXIOS pic.twitter.com/YKB6wctNmW
— GURGAVIN (@gurgavin) April 23, 2025
Elon Musk has been facing a lot of dissatisfaction from key figures in Trump’s inner circle. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed frustration over Musk’s decisions.
Reportedly, there was a particularly contentious meeting. It was organized by President Trump, and it addressed the growing rift between Musk and other cabinet members.
There are still some people in the government who appreciate Musk’s efforts to streamline government operations. However, there are many others who criticized his methods as counterproductive. His initiatives were seen as burdensome and ultimately ineffective. Among these was mandating weekly progress reports from federal employees.
🚨 🇺🇸 FEDERAL AGENCIES CLASH OVER ELON’S PRODUCTIVITY SURVEY
Agency responses to DOGE’s “What did you do last week?” email show deep divisions:
DOD and DHS order staff to ignore it: “Silliest thing in 40 years,” says Pentagon official.
Both agencies say they’ll respond… https://t.co/knOHKU03a6 pic.twitter.com/96ylyQpbmU
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 23, 2025
Elon Musk basically lacks the understanding and coordination with agency heads. This led to strained relations and administrative mistakes. He has a habit of implementing random and abrupt policies. This might work in a company that he owns, and no one dares question.
However, this approach resulted in confusion and resistance within the federal workforce. Critics argue that a more measured approach would have yielded better outcomes. Maybe a chisel, not a chainsaw!!
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was spearheaded by Musk and aimed to cut federal spending significantly. However, the department’s reported savings of $160 billion were repeatedly questioned. There have been analyses suggesting that the cuts and associated costs may have negated the proposed benefits.
Washington Post: Elon Musk is prepared to leave the Trump administration, frustrated by what he sees as relentless and unethical attacks from the political left. pic.twitter.com/wk6n9HRwcE
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) April 21, 2025
Elon Musk’s departure was planned while there are broader ethical concerns within the Trump administration. There have been accusations of widespread corruption and abuse of power. These have cast a shadow over the administration’s initiatives to improve the country’s running mechanism.
The fallout between Musk and Trump was expected, but it wasn’t expected so soon. Musk’s departure has led to speculation about potential shifts within Trump’s inner circle.
There are several unhappy people within the administration. They may now have the opportunity to negotiate with the president. However, the lasting impact of Musk’s involvement raises critical questions about the administration’s approach to governance.
