Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and one of the most influential figures in the current US administration, is scaling back his direct involvement with the White House as part of a planned transition from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to recent reports.
Musk, who was appointed as an unpaid special government employee under DOGE, is no longer working regularly from the White House but remains involved with the agency remotely. The White House previously confirmed that Musk’s on-site role was always intended to be temporary, with the expectation that he would return focus to his private sector ventures once DOGE’s primary objectives had been addressed.
Appointed shortly after President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Musk became the face of the administration’s aggressive push to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations. His leadership of DOGE attracted both praise and criticism, with initiatives that sought to eliminate government programs and significantly downsize federal agencies. At the time of his appointment, Musk stated his goal was to cut $2 trillion in “waste and fraud,” later adjusting that figure to $1 trillion, and most recently to $150 billion in expected reductions for the upcoming fiscal year.
Despite his diminished physical presence at the White House, officials have emphasized that Musk continues to play an important advisory role. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told the New York Post that Musk’s remote involvement has not hindered progress.
“Instead of meeting with him in person, I’m talking to him on the phone, but it’s the same net effect,” she said. “He’s not out of it altogether… He’ll be stepping back a little, but he’s certainly not abandoning it.”
Musk’s reduced presence comes as he shifts greater attention back to Tesla, following a disappointing quarterly earnings report and increasing pressure from investors. During a recent Tesla earnings call, he confirmed that he would be allocating more of his time to the company moving forward.
His pivot also coincides with a rise in political tensions. While Musk has been a vocal and visible supporter of Trump, including contributing over $250 million to pro-Trump campaign groups, his outspoken views have at times clashed with key administration policies—particularly around tariffs and immigration. Public disagreements with Trump officials, including trade adviser Peter Navarro and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have drawn scrutiny to Musk’s growing influence within the administration.
The special government employee designation under which Musk served is limited to 130 workdays per year, a factor that also likely played into the timing of his transition. While President Trump has praised Musk’s contributions, noting that “we have to at some point go ahead and let him do that” in reference to Musk returning to his business interests, the president also retains the option to extend his role if deemed necessary.
As Musk steps back, DOGE continues to implement sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping the federal workforce and consolidating government functions. Under an executive order signed on Trump’s first day back in office, DOGE is scheduled to wind down by July 4, 2026.
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