Musk Steps Back from US Politics -Bye to Trump

Musk Criticises Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has openly criticised the U.S. federal budget proposal championed by former President Donald Trump. In an interview with CBS, Musk expressed concern that the bill, which Trump called “big and beautiful,” would worsen the federal deficit.

“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” Musk said. “But I don’t know if it could be both.”

Musk was a key figure behind the controversial government downsizing initiative known as the Doge programme. Initially, he pledged to reduce government spending by $2 trillion. That figure was eventually scaled down to $150 billion. However, the consequences were significant.

Mass Layoffs and Legal Battles

Approximately 260,000 federal employees lost their jobs or accepted redundancy deals under the Doge programme. In several instances, federal judges intervened, ordering reinstatement for workers who were wrongly dismissed, including those involved in critical departments such as the U.S. nuclear programme.

Musk acknowledged the chaos caused by the rapid staff reductions, admitting the process sometimes led to mistaken firings. In a separate interview with the Washington Post, he said Doge had become a convenient scapegoat for wider political and institutional issues.

“Something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it—even if we had nothing to do with it,” he said.

Tesla Suffers Amid Political Controversy

Musk’s political involvement also had a direct impact on Tesla. The company reported a 13 percent drop in vehicle deliveries in the first quarter of the year—the largest decline in its history. The stock price fell by up to 45 percent before recovering to a 10 percent loss.

Public backlash was severe. Activists staged protests outside Tesla dealerships, and incidents of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and charging stations were reported across the U.S. In response, the Attorney General warned that such acts would be treated as domestic terrorism.

Facing growing pressure from investors and customers, Musk announced he would significantly reduce his involvement in the Doge programme and focus more on his companies.

Future Focus: Tesla, SpaceX, and Less Politics

On a recent earnings call, Musk told investors he would be dedicating far more of his time to Tesla. Speaking at an economic forum in Doha, Qatar, he confirmed plans to continue leading the company for at least the next five years.

Musk also announced a retreat from political financing. After contributing nearly $300 million to support Trump’s campaign and other Republican causes, he stated he would scale back future donations.

What This Means for the World—and Maladewa

With Musk returning his attention to SpaceX and its Starlink satellite internet programme, countries like Maladewa could benefit from potential global internet expansion. If implemented, Starlink could help bridge digital gaps in rural areas and improve access to education, healthcare, and disaster response services.

As Musk distances himself from political controversy, the focus now shifts back to innovation and technology. Whether this change marks a lasting shift in strategy remains to be seen. What is clear is that the intersection of business and politics has left a lasting impact on one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs.