Tech tycoon Elon Musk departs US gov't role

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Tech tycoon Elon Musk departs US gov't role

2025-05-29 13:29 Last Updated At：05-30 00:27

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday that he is leaving his government role as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

His departure comes four months after assuming the role as the head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency(DOGE), a newly-created agency which enacted a series of controversial job cuts designed to slash federal spending.

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Tech tycoon Elon Musk departs US gov't role

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Tech tycoon Elon Musk departs US gov't role

The South African-born billionaire will now rededicate himself to his businesses including the electric vehicle maker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX.

Global sales of Tesla plunged nearly 13 percent in the first quarter of this year, posting the worst figures since 2022, as demand for the company's electric cars weakened. In addition, Tesla dealerships across the United States and at other locations around the world were recently hit by demonstrations, stemming from anger over Musk's role in the Trump administration.

Musk had earlier intimated he would step back from the role, saying he thought he had "done enough".

In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, Musk thanked President Trump for "the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending" but said "the DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday thanked Musk for his work and promised to pursue more spending cuts in the future.

"The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE's findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand," Johnson wrote.

In an interview with the U.S. outlet CBS News on Tuesday, Musk criticized Trump's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act," describing the legislation, a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement, as a "massive spending bill" that increases the federal deficit and "undermines the work" of DOGE.

Trump on Wednesday defended his bill, saying he was "not happy about certain aspects" but "thrilled" by others.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.