He arrived with a bang, leaping in the air at a campaign rally beside Donald Trump, pledging allegiance to the soon-to-be president last year.

He left with a tweet, announcing that his time as a special government employee was over.

In between, Elon Musk anointed himself Mr Trump’s “first buddy,” took a hatchet to government jobs and spending, and made himself a regular presence at the White House, holding court in the Oval Office and at Cabinet meetings.

His departure was well signposted. Mr Musk offered frequent public reminders that his post was time-limited to 130 days, and in the past month gave briefings and interviews setting out what he had achieved with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while proclaiming his tech businesses as his first love.

“Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?” he asked, suggesting he had set up the conditions for his work to continue in his absence.