Elon Musk Prepares to Exit White House Role

Tesla CEO Expected to Step Down as Special Government Employee

Elon Musk is preparing to step down from his role as a “special government employee,” with former President Donald Trump informing close allies of the billionaire’s impending departure, according to Politico.

Musk, who was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a division created to cut wasteful government spending, has reportedly agreed with Trump that it is time to transition back to his business ventures. It remains unclear whether his exit is linked to his failed attempt to influence Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, in which he contributed $21 million to the Republican candidate.

While Trump remains supportive of Musk’s tenure, some cabinet members have expressed frustration over his aggressive cost-cutting measures, which have led to mass firings and the closure of multiple government departments. Despite internal tensions, Musk has maintained his position as one of Trump’s most influential advisers, with sources suggesting he may continue in an informal capacity after his official departure.

The timing of Musk’s exit is expected to align with the expiration of his designation as a “special government employee,” which limits his tenure to 130 days within a one-year period.

Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, dismissed reports of a rift, calling Politico’s coverage “garbage” and reiterating that Musk would step down only after completing his work at Doge.

Tensions Within the Cabinet

Musk’s approach to government reform has sparked clashes with key administration officials. Earlier this month, he was at the center of a heated cabinet meeting, where members accused him of overstepping his authority. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy reportedly opposed Musk’s push to cut air traffic controllers, citing an ongoing national shortage, while Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins claimed Musk’s budget cuts had disrupted operations at VA hospitals.

Despite these disputes, Trump remains appreciative of Musk’s contributions. Speaking on Monday, he suggested that the billionaire would soon return to his corporate responsibilities.

“He’s got a big company to run… At some point, he’s going to be going back,” Trump said. “He wants to. I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”

Political Fallout

Musk suffered a political setback this week after his endorsed candidate for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court lost to the Democratic challenger. Susan Crawford’s victory over the Republican nominee, despite Musk’s significant financial backing, was seen as a blow to both Trump and the tech mogul.

During the campaign, Musk had described the race as pivotal to “the future of America and Western civilization,” underscoring his political ambitions. However, following the defeat, his influence in Trump’s inner circle appeared to wane. Notably, Musk was absent from the front row during Trump’s highly anticipated “liberation day” speech in the Rose Garden on Wednesday, where the former president unveiled new tariffs.

As Musk prepares his exit strategy, questions remain about his future political involvement and whether he will continue advising Trump in an unofficial capacity. For now, his time as a government insider appears to be drawing to a close.