Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his temporary advisory role in the federal government. The billionaire entrepreneur, who helped launch the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, served for roughly 130 days in a role aimed at reducing government spending. The response to Musk’s exit varies sharply between news outlets with a left and right political bias.
On broadcasts from the right, such as Fox News, Musk has been hailed as a legend who has accomplished more in months than career politicians do in years.
“Musk did more in 130 days than most politicians do in three decades,” Jesse Watters, Fox News host, said. “Elon’s not perfect, nobody is. But he’s not a villain. He’s a legend.”
Left-leaning media, however, framed Musk’s departure as a failure, questioning his impact and casting him in a negative light.
“When it’s all said and done, he may have cost more than he saved,” Ari Melber, MSNBC host, said. “He was supposed to be Mr. Savings.”
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DOGE initially claimed it would cut $2 trillion in government spending. As of June 4, the White House is pursuing $9.4 billion in cuts, or 0.47% of DOGE’s initial goal.
Black eye becomes symbolism for left media
Appearing at his farewell with a visible black eye, Musk told reporters it came from “horsing around” with his son, saying his child punched him in the face. But news networks on the left quickly adopted the black eye as a metaphor.
“The metaphors wrote themselves,” Rachel Maddow, MSNBC host, said. “Musk has a literal black eye and a figurative black eye.”
This angle was largely absent on conservative networks, but some democratic analysts instead questioned whether such coverage would occur if the situation involved a Democrat.
Drug use allegations ignite a political and media storm
On the same day as his departure, The New York Times published a report alleging that Musk used drugs while on the campaign trail and in his government role.
Musk denied the claims on X, writing, “To be clear I am not taking drugs,” and accused the Times of lying.
The Times PR account responded that Musk was “lashing out” because he disliked the story. Despite referencing substantial text and photographic documentation, the evidence has not been made public.
Left-leaning outlets heavily cited the report on Friday, giving the claims weight in their coverage.
MSNBC guest and political activist Paul Rieckhoff said Musk was “acting like a poster child for someone who’s on drugs.” Rieckhoff added, “Everybody in America said, ‘Is this guy on drugs?’”
Meanwhile, right-leaning outlets dismissed the report and allegations of drug use.
“I know they’re looking for some kind of scandal there, but I think it is a real nothingburger,” Tomi Lahren told Fox News in an interview. “I don’t think many people, quite frankly, care what Elon Musk does in his personal private time.”
Report claims 300,000 deaths linked to DOGE cuts
A report from Boston University’s Impact Counter claims that over 300,000 global deaths have been caused by funding cuts implemented by DOGE, or roughly 100 deaths per hour.
The report is based on a hypothetical number of deaths calculated using a formula that incorporates typical mortality rates and the typical cost of saving lives, as outlined in its methodology. It has been embraced by left-leaning analysts and hosts.
“That’s 300,000 dead. And we’re four months in,” New York Times columnist David Brooks said to PBS NewsHour. “By taking away that agency, and being at least semi-responsible for the deaths of probably hundreds of thousands if not millions of people, that’s Elon’s legacy.”
Right-leaning outlets, meanwhile, slammed the report’s methodology, pointing out that the report is based on statistical estimates, not confirmed deaths, and said left-leaning outlets failed to clearly communicate that distinction—a form of bias by omission.
“It was a speculative model. It didn’t exist,” Fox News host Greg Gutfeld said.
“If there’s 300,000 deaths since DOGE, where are the bodies?” Watters asked. “Why doesn’t MSNBC have videos of mass graves?”
Musk’s role as advisor
Despite the media rhetoric, Musk did not have the authority to execute budget cuts himself. He served strictly in an advisory role as a “special government employee,” offering recommendations to department heads, who then had the discretion to act. Because the administration aligned with Musk’s cost-cutting views, many agencies followed his recommendations. But reports attributing specific program cuts or savings to Musk directly are technically inaccurate.
While Musk is no longer serving in an official government capacity, he left the door open to continued involvement.
“I’ll continue to be visiting here and being a friend and advisor to the president,” Musk said at the press conference.
DOGE is expected to continue its mission. Depending on who’s reporting—and the political lens they apply—Musk’s role at the White House will either be remembered as a legendary government reformer or a reckless disruptor. For now, Musk’s government chapter has closed—but the debate over his impact is far from over.
