Elon Musk has officially exited the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after nearly three years, leaving behind a legacy of $175 billion in supposed savings—about $1,087 for each taxpayer and a lot of questions.

Musk's departure marks a pivotal moment for the DOGE initiative, which set out with lofty goals of slashing $2 trillion from the federal budget but only managed to save a fraction of that. His exit, alongside several other staffers, raises eyebrows as the White House takes the reins once more, suggesting that while Musk is jetting back to Tesla, the fate of government efficiency hangs by a thread—or perhaps just a poorly written budget line.

Joining Musk in his exodus are advisor Steve Davis, advisor Katie Miller, and attorney James Burnham. The mass migration seems to suggest a collective realization that may have occurred within DOGE: perhaps cutting two trillion dollars from an already bloated federal budget was akin to opting for a salad as the main course at a barbecue—admirable intent but potentially disastrous results.

In a statement reflecting the encouraging tone of a corporate team-building retreat, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump and his cabinet would now take charge of DOGE's initiatives. "We believe that the presence of truly seasoned professionals will inspire confidence in our ability to wrangle the budget," she said, though some critics speculate the most seasoned professionals might just be seasoned with pork barrel proposals.

Interestingly, while DOGE may have stumbled in its pursuit of budgetary zen, Musk still expressed gratitude toward Trump, stating, "The DOGE mission will strengthen over time." This may be true, but it begs the question: how much stronger could it really get? After all, a promise to improve efficiency sounds suspiciously like the answer you'd get from your uncle when he insists he'll start working out next week.

Musk's departure also comes on the heels of criticism directed at congressional Republicans, whom he accused of undermining the DOGE initiative by supporting increased spending. One can only imagine the drama of late-night discussions over whether it's better to buy a new jet or invest in government reform. It’s an age-old debate echoed across many conference rooms and soon to be fodder for a reality TV show—if only it didn’t involve fundamental governance issues.

But fear not, Musk assures us that he will continue to be an unofficial advisor to President Trump. This may not come with a formal title or an office to hold, but if history proves anything, it's that Musk's advice could range from ingenious to suspect. We can only wonder what pearls of wisdom he might share, perhaps suggesting that budget cuts could be solved by launching a few rocket ships.

For Musk, the constraints of special government employment—limited to just 130 days of service—played a large role in his departure. Some may view it as another example of government inefficiency; others might simply see it as a typical Tuesday in the dizzying world of high finance. Regardless, as he returns to the helm of Tesla and his other enterprises, one can only hope he doesn’t forget the little people—taxpayers who will ultimately receive their $1,087 savings coupon in the economy's grand game of Monopoly.

As the government transitions to its new leadership, one wonders if this influx of presidential enthusiasm will translate into better savings figures down the road or if DOGE will become that friend who shows up every month with half-hearted tales of ‘business ventures gone wrong.’ Whatever the exact outcome, one thing is for certain: in a fast-paced world dominated by technological advancement and social media outrage, Musk's withdrawal from the governmental sphere leaves the door wide open for unconventional decision-making—exactly what Washington needs.