Donald Trump has told close allies that Tesla CEO Elon Musk will take a step back in the coming weeks, it has been reported, as backlash of Musk’s influence over the government grows
It’s been reported that Elon Musk will take a step back in the upcoming weeks, according to insiders including members of Donald Trump’s cabinet, as the backlash to his government influence grows.
Just as his company, Tesla, faces plummeting sales and tanking share prices, the world’s richest man is set to step back to concentrate on his businesses.
The electric car maker has been hit hard by consumer pushback against Musk, with buyers turning away amid controversies surrounding his leadership and outspoken political stances.
Senior officials confirmed the billionaire and Donald Trump have mutually decided it is time for the entrepreneur to return his focus to business, shifting into a more peripheral advisory role rather than remaining a key player in government.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday (1 April), President Trump said “at some point” Musk will be “going back”.
However, White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described the “scoop” on Musk leaving the Trump administration as “garbage”.
Posting on X, she wrote: “Elon Musk and President Trump have both *publicly* stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete.”
The President has previously been sceptical of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which was the brainchild of Musk – the world’s richest man – who contributed at least $277 million to the Trump campaign during last year’s election.
During the briefing, Trump was noncommittal about DOGE and said: “A lot of the people that are working with DOGE are the secretaries and heads of various agencies – and they’ve learned a lot and they’re dealing with the DOGE people.
“I think some of them may try and keep the DOGE people with them. But, at a certain point, I think it will end.”
He then spoke about Musk – the CEO of Tesla and owner of social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), – and said: “At some point, he’s going to be going back.
“I’d keep him as long as I can keep him – he’s a very talented guy. You know I love very smart people. He’s very smart and he’s done a good job.”
Musk’s departure, however, follows growing frustration within the administration over his erratic behaviour and the political liabilities he has created for Trump’s Republicans.
Musk’s withdrawal comes on the heels of a costly defeat in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race on Tuesday, where he poured £16 million into the conservative judge Brad Schimel’s campaign, only to see liberal-backed Susan Crawford win by a landslide ten-point margin.
The result underscored the risks of his deepening political involvement and has fuelled concerns within the Trump camp that his continued presence in government could do more harm than good.
A senior administration official confirmed that while Musk may continue to offer informal advice, he would leave in late May or early June.
Insiders have added that Mr Musk stepping back would likely coincide with his time as a “special government employee” coming to an end, as this was a 130-day period.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s decline has only added to his headaches.
Once the undisputed leader in the electric vehicle market, the company faces shrinking demand, aggressive competition, and a growing public backlash against its CEO.
Tesla’s stock has plunged in recent months, with analysts warning that his increasingly polarising personality is alienating consumers and investors alike.
Inside the Trump administration, frustration with Musk has been building for months, particularly over his management of DOGE, an initiative aimed at cutting federal bureaucracy.
While the South-African born businessman’s allies argue that his work has streamlined government operations, critics within the White House say he has been unmanageable, blindsiding officials with unexpected announcements and chaotic messaging on his social media platform, X.
One senior official described Musk’s leadership style as “erratic and disruptive,” adding that his tendency to bypass government channels frequently left Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and other key figures furious.
His unvetted plans to slash entire federal agencies reportedly created internal crises, with administration officials forced to walk back or clarify his comments.
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