It’s not every day the world’s richest man drops a chainsaw at a political event, throws a salute that sparks Nazi comparisons, and casually brings his kid to a budget briefing.
But Elon Musk isn’t your average government figure — and now, he says he’s done.
The South African-born billionaire has officially stepped away from his short-lived but headline-grabbing role in the U.S. government, where he was tasked with slashing federal spending.
His exit came right after a dramatic break with Donald Trump over the president’s massive new spending bill.
A Salute That Sparked Outrage
Musk’s partnership with Trump got off to a fiery start when, at an inauguration rally, he raised his arm in a gesture that had historians and political analysts crying foul.
Standing at a podium emblazoned with the presidential seal, Musk’s straight-armed motion looked eerily similar to a Nazi salute.
Democrats and social media users were quick to pounce, and critics even rebranded Tesla vehicles as “swasticars.” Musk, of course, dismissed the controversy with a trademark X post: “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
Still, the imagery overshadowed what was supposed to be a moment of triumph for Trump — and for Musk.
Backing Germany’s Far-Right Sends Shockwaves
Just weeks later, Musk made headlines again — this time in Europe.
Appearing virtually at a rally for Germany’s anti-immigration AfD party, his endorsement alarmed Germany’s mainstream political class.
They accused Musk of foreign interference, and vandals even torched four Teslas in Berlin.
Though the AfD made gains in the polls, they still came second to Germany’s conservatives — and Musk’s involvement raised eyebrows globally.
Brings His Child to the White House
During his first public appearance as the head of DOGE (a government spending watchdog), Musk brought along his son, X. Trump introduced the boy like a celebrity guest: “This is X and he’s a great guy.”
Cameras caught the child picking his nose as Musk stood proudly next to the Oval Office’s Resolute Desk, detailing his plans to hack away at government waste.
It was a surreal scene — part reality TV, part political theater.
Wielding a Chainsaw to Symbolize Budget Cuts
Musk didn’t just talk about budget cuts — he literally brandished a chainsaw on stage at a conservative event.
Wearing sunglasses and grinning, he held up the tool (handed to him by Argentina’s anti-bureaucracy president, Javier Milei) as a symbol of his slash-and-burn approach to the federal workforce.
Though never confirmed by the Senate, Musk treated his role like a CEO with total control, often railing against what he called the “unelected, unconstitutional” U.S. bureaucracy.
Clashing with Trump’s Inner Circle
Even though he wasn’t technically in Trump’s cabinet, Musk loomed large — literally and politically.
At Trump’s first official cabinet meeting, he stood by a doorway in a t-shirt labeled “Tech Support,” upstaging the actual government officials.
Despite some friction, Trump publicly downplayed tensions: “ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON,” he posted on social media.
Musk and Trump Turn into Tesla Salesmen
As Tesla’s stock continued to slide and vandals targeted its cars, Trump stepped in to boost Musk’s brand.
The White House hosted a flashy test drive of Tesla vehicles, with Cybertrucks parked on the South Portico and Trump personally praising the cars.
Trump even claimed to have bought one. But the stunt didn’t stop Tesla’s downward spiral — the company reported a brutal 71% drop in profits for Q1.
Money Fails to Buy a Court Seat
In Wisconsin, Musk tried to influence the state’s Supreme Court election by pouring in $25 million and offering voters $100 to sign anti-judge petitions.
He even handed out $1 million checks in a desperate push to elect a pro-Trump Republican judge.
Despite the big spending, voters chose a liberal judge in a landslide, rejecting Musk’s overt influence in what became the most expensive court race in U.S. history.
Musk Takes on Trump’s Tariff Guy
Not one to stay quiet, Musk soon found himself feuding with Peter Navarro — Trump’s top trade adviser and a vocal supporter of tariffs.
After Trump announced new import taxes affecting China and the EU, Musk pushed for a free-trade zone with Europe.
Then came the zinger: Musk called Navarro “dumber than a sack of bricks,” after Navarro accused Tesla of relying on Asian-made parts.
Musk clapped back, citing studies that claimed Tesla builds the most American-made cars.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt tried to lighten the mood, brushing it off as “boys will be boys.”
The Final Straw: Trump’s Spending Bill
Despite their bromance, Musk eventually broke ranks with Trump over the so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.”
The legislation promised massive tax relief and spending cuts but also risked adding trillions to the national deficit.
Musk wasn’t having it.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit,” he told CBS.
He added that it undercut the work DOGE had done — namely, firing tens of thousands of federal employees.
Shortly after, Musk resigned from his government post.
So… What Word Would You Use for Elon Musk?
From raising eyebrows in Berlin to waving chainsaws in Washington, Elon Musk’s brief tenure in U.S. politics has been nothing short of wild.