Revisiting Elon Musk’s Most Controversial Moments in the White House

Elon Musk's time as the leader of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has come to an end.

“As my scheduled time as a special government employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President [Trump] for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," Musk announced on Wednesday, May 29. “The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”

Musk joined Trump in the Oval Office on Friday, May 30, for a press conference to mark the end of his White House tenure. Musk reiterated that DOGE will continue in his absence, and that it's only the beginning for the agency. He also vowed to remain nearby as a confidante.

"I expect to continue to provide advice, whenever the President would like advice," Musk said, adding that he'll "remain a friend and an adviser and certainly, if there’s anything the President wants me to do, I’m at the President’s service."

Trump heaped praise on Musk, saying the Tesla CEO's "service to America has been without comparison in modern history." The President went on to gift Musk a symbolic key to the White House.

During his leadership at DOGE, Musk implemented a slew of far-reaching changes in his bid to eliminate waste within the government. His cuts at federal agencies and the termination of billions of dollars of government contracts—many of which have reportedly since been revived—prompted much criticism.

And Musk has personally taken a hit, too. His Tesla showrooms have been the subject of arson attacks and people have boycotted both him and his businesses in protest.

Read More: Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington 

Here’s a look back at Musk’s most controversial moments.

Musk is questioned about alleged drug use

On Friday, a reporter in the Oval Office asked Musk about the New York Times’ reported allegations that he regularly consumed ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms when traveling with Trump on the campaign trail in 2024. "The New York Times. Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate? Let’s move on," Musk said when asked about the report, seemingly referencing conservative criticism of the publication's coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

The topic came up again on Friday night, when Trump answered questions from reporters as he returned from speaking to steelworkers at a rally in Pittsburgh, Penn.

“I think he’s fantastic. I think Elon is a fantastic guy, and—I’m not troubled by anything with Elon. I think he’s fantastic,” Trump replied when asked if he was aware of the allegations.

“Cruel” email to federal employees sparks mass criticism

In February, Musk’s leadership was questioned over an email sent to various government departments, requesting that employees respond within a certain time frame and summarize their work for the week.

The email—which boasted the subject line “What did you do last week?”—was sent from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to workers in several government departments. Musk added via social media that “failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” However, there was no mention of resignation in the email sent to employees.

The email—and Musk's accompanying social media warning—garnered ire from several unions and prominent voices.

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), referred to the directive as “cruel and disrespectful,” and called Musk an “out-of-touch, privileged, unelected billionaire.”

Some department heads initially instructed their employees to focus on their own internal performance review process, as opposed to responding to the email. FBI Director Kash Patel told employees in an email that they should “pause any responses.”

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Pentagon had ended the initiative with its civilian employees, who will no longer be required to send an email specifying what they did the previous week.

Overhauling multiple agencies through DOGE

Musk has garnered much controversy during his time leading DOGE, specifically for his massive cuts at the federal level which, alongside actions from the Trump Administration, contributed to mass layoffs, the termination of government contracts, and efforts to close entire agencies. DOGE claims to have saved an estimated $175 billion for the federal government, a number which has been brought into question during various verification attempts.

Musk’s goal to cut $2 trillion dollars has resulted in a multi-state lawsuit against Musk and DOGE, amid allegations that they violated the Constitution by accessing government data systems, canceling contracts of federal agencies, and terminating federal employees.

In February, during an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Musk displayed his penchant for slashing government spending by waving around a chainsaw on stage. He was gifted the mechanical tool by Argentine President Javier Milei, who made the chainsaw a trademark of his when he campaigned to cut public spending in his native country.

Musk’s straight-arm salute at a Trump rally

At a celebratory rally after Trump’s inauguration, Musk’s White House career got off to a contentious start when he seemingly offered a straight-arm salute at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., as he excitedly told the crowd: “My heart goes out to you.”

The motion immediately garnered controversy, with some people, including history professors who study fascism and U.S. Representatives, expressing concern that the action was similar to a Nazi salute.

Some, including the Anti-Defamation League, came to Musk’s defense, arguing that he was seemingly making an “awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm.”

Musk addressed the controversy himself, saying: “The radical leftists are really upset that they had to take time out of their busy day praising Hamas to call me a Nazi.”

DOGE employees resigning

Several civil service employees resigned from DOGE, citing their refusal to use their expertise to “dismantle critical public services,” according to a joint resignation letter sent to the White House chief of staff Susie Wiles on Feb. 25, that was obtained by the Associated Press.

The employees had worked for the United States Digital Service, but said their duties had been integrated into DOGE.

Musk directly responded to the AP article, calling it “fake news from Associated Propaganda.”

“These were Dem political holdovers who refused to return to the office,” Musk said of the employees. “They would have been fired had they not resigned.”

There have also been mass resignations from top-ranking government officials since Trump returned to the White House and set up DOGE.

David Lebryk, the highest-ranking Treasury Department career official, retired on Jan. 31 after clashing with Musk’s team over access to government payment systems, the Washington Post reported.