WASHINGTON (TNND) — The tenure of Elon Musk as a government advisor could be nearing its end, even as President Donald Trump expressed his desire for the billionaire to stick around.
I want Elon to stay as long as possible. Number one, I like him. Number two, he’s doing a great job, and number three, he is a patriot,” Trump said while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.
Musk has led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been instrumental in the significant downsizing of the federal government since, Trump assumed office. Musk’s term as a special government employee is set to expire in May or June.
Politico reports Trump has informed his inner circle that Musk will be departing soon. However, Trump assured DOGE will continue its efforts.
DOGE will stay active, we have a lot of smart people,” the president said.
In the 70-plus days since Trump’s inauguration, DOGE and Musk have overseen mass firings of federal workers and the dismantling of federal agencies, actions that have garnered substantial support from Republicans, despite facing backlash at town halls. The DOGE website claims $140 billion in savings, including approximately $25 billion from canceled contracts. These figures are contested, with Bank of America describing the contract numbers as “overstated.”
Meanwhile, Musk’s company Tesla reported its worst quarter in three years, and Musk invested more than $20 million in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race where his preferred candidate lost by 10 points just this past week. Politico, citing anonymous White House sources, reported that Musk has become a liability, a claim Musk dismissed as “fake news.”
Democrats are unlikely to lament Musk’s potential departure.
The president comes through with he and his co-president Elon Musk with a chainsaw. They fire people illegally. They try to shut down agencies that Congress established,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, while speaking to CNN.
Vice President JD Vance stated in an interview that Musk would remain a friend and adviser if and when he leaves his official role. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Musk will depart once the work at DOGE is complete.
