Musk said he had "done enough" and that he will step away from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the inner-government group that has slashed federal budgets and workforces. As he prepared his goodbyes, Newsweek looked back at Musk's time in government and asked experts on whether he will have a lasting impact.

Elon Musk is leaving Washington after a tenure in government marked by controversy.

Tesla’s reputation was the worst across every demographic, and 38 percent said their views had darkened over the past six months.