President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle, including members of his cabinet, that Elon Musk will step down from his role as a key government partner in the coming weeks, according to an article published by Politico.
The entrepreneur’s departure will mark the end of his role as the leading promoter of the state efficiency agenda and an omnipresent figure in the White House. His exit comes amid growing political strain and economic pressures that have also affected his businesses.
According to Politico, both Trump and Musk have decided that the time has come for a transition. Although the president continues to publicly support Musk and his work in the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE), both agree that the businessman should refocus on his enterprises.
The decision comes at a time when officials and advisers within the presidential circle consider Musk an increasingly difficult figure to manage. His departure coincides with a rough day for Tesla, whose stock fell 4.6% on April 2 after it was revealed that the company sold 336,681 vehicles in the first quarter of the year, 13% less than in the same period in 2024. Production also dropped by 16.1%, and the company’s shares have lost 32% of their value over the past twelve months. Analysts partially attribute this decline to consumer backlash against Musk’s political involvement, according to Politico. However, following the publication of the article, Tesla’s stock recovered by 3%.
Musk’s departure also stems from tensions his presence has created in the White House and the Republican Party. Officials have expressed frustration over his unpredictable behavior and his tendency to act without consulting formal government structures. This perception intensified last Tuesday when a conservative judge backed by Musk lost a Wisconsin Supreme Court election by 10 points, despite the businessman’s multimillion-dollar investment in the campaign. Some Trump advisers saw this defeat as a “referendum on Elon,” as Democrats used his involvement as a rallying point.
Just a month ago, officials claimed Musk would remain in his position and that Trump would find a way to extend his participation beyond the 130-day limit set for his role as a “special government employee,” which allowed him to perform executive functions without being subject to certain ethics and conflict-of-interest rules. However, according to Politico, his departure will coincide with the expiration of this special period, scheduled for late May or early June. After leaving, Musk will retain an informal advisory role and may still make occasional appearances at the White House.
A senior official cited by the magazine stated that “anyone who thinks Elon will completely disappear from Trump’s orbit is deluding themselves.” Another source indicated that Musk himself acknowledges that most administrative cuts have already been implemented and that continuing them could jeopardize essential programs.
For some Trump advisers, the transition is happening at an opportune moment, as they believe Musk has fulfilled his initial mission. However, others within the government describe him as an unmanageable figure whose tendency to announce initiatives without approval has caused repeated confusion, such as sending an email to all federal employees demanding they report their daily output and the unauthorized release of plans to dismantle key agencies.
Musk has had tense relationships with several cabinet secretaries, who have clashed with his aggressive approach to budget cuts. Multiple sources have described his style as that of “a bull in a china shop,” especially after the accidental elimination of funds allocated to Ebola prevention.
On March 24, during a cabinet meeting, Trump openly addressed Musk’s imminent departure. An adviser briefed on the meeting confirmed to Politico that the president anticipated the transition during that discussion. Following the conversation, Trump allowed the press access and publicly praised Musk, who attended wearing a red cap with the MAGA (Make America Great Again) slogan.
“Elon, I want to thank you—I know you’ve been through a lot,” Trump stated on that occasion, referring to death threats and acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles. He also called the businessman “a patriot” and “a friend.”
