However, Musk's notoriety has been a double-edged sword, as he has become closely associated with DOGE's widespread cuts to federal spending, which has led to protests against the CEO and his companies. Both Musk and the White House have said that DOGE will continue in some form after his departure.

The Department of Government Efficiency, the brainchild of Elon Musk that upended Washington with its rapid-fire drive to slash thousands of federal jobs and cut costs, is effectively leaderless now that the billionaire and his deputy have stepped down,