Donald Trump Taking DOGE Lead After Elon Musk Exit

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Source: Newsweek

Published May 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM EDT | Updated May 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM EDT


President Donald Trump will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) following Elon Musk's departure, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday. The president will delegate the administration's efforts to cut "waste, fraud and abuse" to individual Cabinet members.

Why It Matters

Musk, a billionaire tech CEO, announced he would be stepping down after his "scheduled time as a Special Government Employee" came to an end on Wednesday, ending five months of work as one of the most high-profile figures in the second Trump administration. His task force sought to champion mass cuts across the federal government, which led to mass layoffs and restructuring. His departure left the question of leadership in mid-air. DOGE faces ongoing legal challenges over some of its sweeping initiatives, including accessing sensitive data and mass termination of employees.

What To Know

At Thursday's press briefing, Leavitt told reporters asking about DOGE's future that "the entire Cabinet is involved" in its mission and work. "Each cabinet secretary at their respective agencies is committed" to the overarching goal of trimming the government and eradicating waste, she added.

When asked about the group's leadership following Musk's departure, she responded: "The DOGE leaders are each and every member of the president's cabinet and the president himself, who is wholeheartedly committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government." The press secretary added that "surely the mission of DOGE will continue and many DOGE employees are many political appointees and employees of our government."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-taking-doge-lead-elon-musk-exit-2078647