Elon Musk has announced his resignation from President Donald Trump’s administration, marking a major departure from one of the administration’s most prominent tech advisors. Musk’s decision, revealed late on Wednesday, follows months of growing tension over key policy disagreements and mounting public scrutiny of his role in the government.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO stated in a press release that his values and the direction of the administration had “diverged significantly,” particularly on issues related to climate policy, artificial intelligence regulation, and trade relations with China. “I believe I can be more effective advocating for innovation and sustainability from outside the administration,” Musk said.
Sources close to the matter told Al Jazeera that Musk was increasingly frustrated by what he described as the administration’s “anti-science rhetoric” and the rollback of climate-related initiatives. His concerns reportedly escalated after recent executive orders encouraging fossil fuel expansion and limiting government investment in renewable energy.
Tensions had also arisen over Musk’s disagreements with Trump’s stance on global AI governance. While the administration pushed for limited regulation and free-market dominance in AI development, Musk advocated for stronger international collaboration and oversight, warning of long-term risks if the technology is left unchecked.
Another key issue was trade. Musk had previously voiced concerns over the administration’s proposed tariffs on Chinese imports, particularly electronics and rare earth materials, which are crucial to Tesla’s supply chain. The announcement of stricter export controls and new tariffs on electric vehicles this month further fueled his decision to step down.
Musk’s resignation comes amid growing public criticism of his involvement in the Trump administration. Many environmental groups and progressive leaders had called for him to sever ties, accusing him of lending credibility to policies they view as harmful to global efforts on climate change.
His departure is expected to have ripple effects within the administration and among U.S. technology firms. Musk had been a key figure in several government-backed projects, including public-private infrastructure initiatives and military space contracts via SpaceX.
White House spokespersons have not yet issued a formal response, though senior officials acknowledged the resignation and expressed gratitude for Musk’s previous contributions.
Analysts say Musk’s exit reflects deeper rifts between the administration and the tech sector, especially over regulatory and ethical approaches to rapidly advancing technologies. They also note it could embolden other industry leaders to speak out against policies they view as regressive or short-sighted.
Musk, who has not ruled out returning to public service in the future, emphasized his ongoing commitment to innovation and space exploration. “The mission of advancing humanity through technology continues, with or without government titles,” he said.
Source; Al Jazeera
