Billionaire Elon Musk wears a cheesehead as he takes the stage during a town hall on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wis. Musk held the event to drive turnout for Tuesday’s state Supreme Court election between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Washington D.C. – Elon Musk is preparing to step down from his influential role in the Trump administration in the coming weeks, according to multiple sources close to the White House. While Musk has been a key figure in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative—championing deep cuts to federal agencies—both he and President Donald Trump have reportedly decided that the billionaire’s time as a governing partner is coming to an end.
Three senior administration officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the decision. While Musk is expected to maintain an informal advisory role, his departure signals a major shift in the White House’s approach to federal downsizing.
Musk’s upcoming retreat follows increasing frustration among Trump allies over his unpredictable nature. His vocal support for a conservative judge in Wisconsin’s recent Supreme Court race—an effort that included a $20 million investment—ended in a significant defeat, highlighting concerns that Musk has become a political liability.
Despite his effectiveness in streamlining government operations, Musk’s frequent, off-the-cuff remarks on X (formerly Twitter) have often sent the White House into damage control mode. His uncoordinated announcements, including drastic cuts to federal agencies, have reportedly clashed with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ attempts to maintain order.
The move to ease Musk out of his official role began before the Wisconsin election. On March 24, during a Cabinet meeting, Trump signaled that Musk’s transition was imminent. The president later brought reporters in for a public show of appreciation, praising Musk as “a patriot” and “a friend of mine.”
One factor influencing Musk’s exit is the expiration of his status as a “special government employee,” which temporarily exempted him from certain ethics and conflict-of-interest regulations. This 130-day period is set to end in late May or early June.
While some administration officials believe Musk’s job is largely done—having significantly trimmed government agencies—others are relieved that his tenure is nearing its end. His aggressive cost-cutting measures have included controversial demands, such as requiring federal workers to submit reports justifying their workload, and mistakenly slashing funding for Ebola prevention programs.
Musk himself has hinted at his departure, telling Fox News that his primary goal—cutting $1 trillion from the deficit—would likely be achieved before his special status expires. Trump, meanwhile, has acknowledged Musk’s desire to return to his businesses, stating, “I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”
While the White House maintains that Musk’s contributions have been invaluable, many within Trump’s circle see his exit as a necessary step to refocus the administration and reduce political backlash.
