President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle, including Cabinet members, that Elon Musk will soon be stepping back from his current role as a governing partner, influential supporter, and Washington operative, according to American media company Politico.
Although Trump remains pleased with Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency initiative, both men have recently concluded that it is time for Musk to return to his businesses and assume a supporting role, according to three Trump insiders who were granted anonymity to discuss the evolving relationship.
Musk's anticipated retreat comes amid frustration from some within the Trump administration and many external allies who view him as a political liability due to his unpredictability. This dynamic was highlighted when a conservative judge, vocally supported by Musk, lost a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat by 10 points.
This transition marks a significant change in the Trump-Musk relationship compared to a month ago, when White House officials and allies predicted Musk was "here to stay" and would remain beyond the 130-day time limit.
A senior administration official mentioned that Musk might retain an informal advisory role and occasionally appear at the White House. However, another official cautioned that anyone expecting Musk to vanish from Trump's sphere entirely is "fooling themselves."
The transition is expected to coincide with the end of Musk's status as a "special government employee," a designation temporarily exempting him from certain ethics and conflict-of-interest rules. This period is likely to expire in late May or early June. Musk's defenders within the administration believe the timing is right for a transition, considering he has done all he can without overextending.
Many others, however, view Musk as an unpredictable and unmanageable force, causing communication issues with Cabinet secretaries and the White House chain of command led by Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. He has frequently caused turmoil with unexpected and off-message comments on X, his social-media platform, including sharing unvetted plans to overhaul federal agencies.
The political risk Musk poses was underscored when Democrats seized on his approximately $20 million investment in the Wisconsin race, with some portraying it as a referendum on the polarizing mogul. Yet, Trump had already begun to pave the way for Musk's departure, starting more than a week before the election. During a March 24 Cabinet meeting, Trump informed attendees of Musk's impending transition out of the administration, according to one insider briefed on the comments.
Following the announcement, Trump invited reporters and cameras to the meeting's conclusion, where he praised Musk, who attended wearing a red MAGA hat. Cabinet secretaries, many of whom had previously clashed with Musk over his aggressive approach to reducing their departments, also commended his efforts to streamline bureaucracy.
"Elon, I want to thank you — I know you’ve been through a lot," Trump said, acknowledging the threats and vandalism directed at Tesla cars and calling Musk "a patriot" and "a friend of mine."
Both men have since hinted at a transition. When Fox News' Bret Baier asked Musk if he'd be ready to leave when his special government employee status expires, Musk essentially declared the mission accomplished: "I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame."
On Monday night, Trump told reporters that "at some point Elon’s going to want to go back to his company," adding, "He wants to. I’d keep him as long as I could keep him."
"As the President said, this White House would love to keep Elon around for as long as possible," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields stated Tuesday as election results from Wisconsin were announced. "Elon has been instrumental in executing the President’s agenda and will continue this good work until the President says otherwise."
However, many close to Trump are increasingly relieved that Musk is expected to soon move on from his central role, and the series of surprises — ranging from unexpected email demands on federal workers to accidental cuts to Ebola prevention programs — might finally be concluding. This is not to mention concerns about Musk as a political liability who has become a rallying point for divided Democrats.
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