Trump vs Musk: DOGE staff fear fallout; public feud sparks anxiety over political targeting- report
Following the public spat between US President Donald Trump and
Elon Musk
, staff members at the Musk-established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are reportedly experiencing increasing concerns about their professional future and potential targeting by the administration
Current DOGE personnel embedded within federal agencies are concerned that the public dispute between Trump and Musk might expose them to political consequences and affect their career opportunities, multiple sources with knowledge of internal discussions told ABC News.
Personnel fear their DOGE connection could make them vulnerable if tensions escalate and Trump initiates an investigation into the government-reduction programme that Musk headed until his recent departure, the sources indicated. There are additional concerns that Trump's potential distancing from DOGE could negatively impact their professional standing.
Musk, who leads Tesla and SpaceX, developed a close relationship with Trump during the past year while supporting his re-election campaign before establishing DOGE to support Trump's federal government reduction objectives.
DOGE, as a quasi-governmental body, has sparked debates due to its agency closures and access to sensitive information.
The relationship between the president and the world's wealthiest individual deteriorated into social media confrontation on Thursday, with Musk criticising Trump for "ingratitude" regarding the 2024 election, whilst Trump threatened to "terminate Elon's governmental subsidies and contracts."
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The public clash between Trump andMusk has intensified, following Musk's disapproval of a significant domestic policy initiative by Trump. The conflict between the two wealthy individuals heightened on Thursday as they traded harsh words on their respective social media platforms, indicating the end of their previous alliance.
Trump initiated the exchange by expressing disappointment over Musk's criticism of his administration's primary tax and spending legislation, what he labelled as his 'one big, beautiful bill'.
In response, Musk claimed credit for Trump's electoral success, stating: "Without me, Trump would have lost the election".
The deterioration in their relationship occurred after Musk's sustained opposition to Trump's significant spending legislation, which received approval from the US House and awaits Senate consideration.
Following his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) after 129 days of service, Musk utilised X to denounce the bill as a "disgusting abomination", adding: "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong."
Musk expressed concerns about the legislation's impact on US national debt levels and urged his followers to contact their representatives to voice opposition to the spending proposal.
During this disagreement, War Room presenter and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who has historically criticised Musk, urged the president to investigate the billionaire following Thursday's incident. "This is a national security issue," Bannon stated on his programme Thursday.
"We're dealing with a very unstable individual out saying dangerous things about the president of the United States. He must be investigated .
.. and all government contracts should be suspended."
Several key Musk associates who served as special government employees, including Steve Davis, the DOGE operational lead, left with Musk . However, numerous DOGE staff remain integrated across federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management, Veterans Affairs, Treasury, IRS, and Social Security Administration, the ABC News sources confirmed.
Musk's exit represented a significant shift for DOGE's daily operations, as officials like Davis had managed DOGE activities across federal government for months.
Following Musk's departure, DOGE staff will maintain their reporting structure to respective agency leadership, the sources indicated. The White House recently stated that "DOGE leaders are each and every member of the president's cabinet and the president himself."
Sources further informed ABC News that some current DOGE federal government staff have begun seeking alternative employment. Despite concerns about future career prospects, several technology companies have shown interest in recruiting DOGE alumni, with Coinbase creating a specific hiring portal for former DOGE staff.
Meanwhile, regarding potential DOGE investigations, a White House adviser indicated the president's focus remains on his signature spending legislation, the "Big Beautiful Bill."
Despite the public disagreement, Trump has not publicly criticised DOGE and previously praised the initiative. During a recent Oval Office press event, Trump commended Musk's transformation of Washington's operational methods and described DOGE as a significant government reform programme.
Upon leaving the Trump administration, Musk minimised DOGE's dependence on his leadership, stating, "DOGE is a way of life, like Buddhism. You wouldn't ask the question, 'Who would lead Buddhism?'"
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