While Musk remains close to President Donald Trump, his “decision to focus elsewhere has been greeted as a relief by many federal leaders, who have been busily undoing many of his cuts in their departments or making DOGE-style changes on their own terms,” The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer and Ashley Parker reported.

As he retreats from Washington, Elon Musk says he will spend “a lot less” on politics. Close advisers says he is eager to return to prior obsessions.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said that Musk's move is likely a response to the intense blowback that he's endured over DOGE.

Elon Musk is still filling his own pockets with federal welfare, even if his Department of Government Efficiency was all smoke and mirrors.