Here’s who could be filling Musk’s shoes.
In a major transition for the Trump administration’s war on wasteful government spending, tech titan Elon Musk has officially wrapped up his temporary federal role—but the mission he helped launch is far from over.
At the heart of the effort is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a bold Trump-era initiative to streamline Washington, cut massive federal costs, and root out corruption across bloated agencies.
While Musk’s 130-day stint as a special government employee has concluded, President Trump confirmed that Musk will continue to advise him and remain closely involved.
“Elon’s not really leaving—he’ll be back and forth,” President Trump told reporters at a press conference Friday.
Musk, who helped DOGE save an estimated $175 billion in taxpayer dollars, vowed the program would continue its mission. “This is just the beginning,” he said, predicting the team could ultimately uncover $1 trillion in savings.
🔥 Who’s Taking the Lead? Meet Russ Vought and Stephen Miller
Though the White House insists no single figure will replace Musk, two trusted Trump allies are stepping forward to drive the mission:
- Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is being described as the quiet architect behind the next phase.
- Stephen Miller, Trump’s longtime policy adviser and former Senate staffer, is expected to continue keeping the D.C. swamp in check.
“Russ knows how the system works and which levers to pull,” said Jordan Wood, a former Trump aide. “Elon was the disruptor. Russ is the executor.”
Vought, who has a history of pushing for deep federal cuts, has previously said bureaucrats should be put “in trauma” to bring true accountability. Under his leadership, OMB has already issued memos cracking down on politically motivated hiring practices based on race, sex, or religion.
⚖️ Eliminating Bias and Holding Agencies Accountable
Just this week, a new directive from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) ordered agencies to align hiring with constitutional principles, banning identity-based quotas and requiring compliance reports by June.
With Vought at OMB’s helm, agencies that resist the administration’s reforms will face intense scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Stephen Miller emphasized that DOGE’s work is just getting started. Responding to Musk’s announcement on X, Miller wrote:
“DOGE’s efforts to cut wasteful spending and expose entrenched corruption in Washington stand as one of the most impactful public services in recent memory.”
Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, who served as Musk’s spokesperson at DOGE, has now joined him in the private sector.
🛠️ Not Just a Person—A Movement
Despite speculation about a new “face” of DOGE, insiders say the effort has become decentralized, with embedded reformers spread throughout federal agencies.
As one Trump ally put it:
“We don’t need another Elon. The cuts have been made. The team is in place. Russ is coordinating the mission—this is now a full-government effort.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that sentiment, noting every Cabinet official has been tasked with continuing the DOGE mission:
“They worked side-by-side with Elon Musk, and they’ll keep rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in their respective agencies.”
💡 From Disruption to Execution
The shift from high-profile disruption to quiet execution may be a tactical advantage, say Trump insiders. Musk’s “shock and awe” approach captured headlines. But now, the embedded DOGE operatives are making deeper, more permanent cuts—harder to undo, even by future administrations.
“Elon may be leaving the stage,” Wood said, “but the mission continues. This is the long game.”
Musk, always one for symbolism, summed up his legacy with a question:
“Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?”
DOGE, he said, is no longer a role—it’s a way of life inside Trump’s Washington.