Elon Musk is stepping away from his top-tier role inside Donald Trump’s White House. After months of dominating headlines, Musk will soon exit his position as Trump’s high-profile fixer, adviser, and political enforcer.
The change marks a shift in tone between the two powerful figures. According to three insiders close to the situation, both men agreed it’s time for Musk to return to his business empire.
White House Allies Begin to Distance Themselves
While Trump still praises Musk publicly, frustration has built behind the scenes. Several Cabinet members and political allies feel Musk became a liability. His unpredictable behavior, especially online, often threw the administration into chaos.
Behind every great man is a woman so the saying goes and in the president’s case there are several.
But reported clashes with all important Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles could have been the final nail in the coffin for Musk’s role in the White House.
One of Wiles’ frustrations reportedly stemmed from his failure to loop her into plans to gut federal agencies.
Vanity Fair reports that she encouraged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other cabinet secretaries to air their grievances with Musk directly to the president after they came to vent to her about their problems with him.
That anger grew louder on Tuesday. A conservative judge backed by Musk lost his Wisconsin Supreme Court race by 10 points. Democrats seized on Musk’s $20 million investment in the race, calling the election a referendum on the tech billionaire.
Plans for Musk’s Exit Started Weeks Ago
Trump had already started laying the groundwork. During a March 24 Cabinet meeting, he said Musk would transition out of his government role. One official confirmed that Trump shared this plan with staff more than a week before the election.
After the announcement, Trump invited media into the meeting’s final moments. Wearing a red MAGA hat, Musk received praise from Trump and even from officials who had clashed with him over his slash-and-burn tactics.
“Elon, I want to thank you,” Trump said, mentioning death threats and vandalism of Tesla vehicles. “You’re a patriot and a friend of mine.”
Musk’s Government Role Nears Expiration
Musk has served as a “special government employee,” a temporary role that allows for short-term federal work. That designation is set to expire in late May or early June. Most expect him to exit when it does.
He may not disappear completely. A senior official said Musk will likely stay close as an informal adviser. But few expect him to hold a regular presence in the West Wing moving forward.
When asked last week if he was ready to leave, Musk told Fox News, “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame.”
Chaos and Controversy Followed Musk’s Tenure
Supporters say Musk slashed bureaucracy. Detractors say he operated like a loose cannon. His actions frequently blindsided top officials. His social media posts often unveiled major federal plans without coordination.
One of the more extreme episodes involved a weekend email blast demanding that federal workers document their productivity. Another plan, accidentally leaked, included cuts to Ebola prevention programs.
The fallout often left chief of staff Susie Wiles scrambling. Cabinet secretaries sometimes learned of Musk’s actions after they hit X, his social platform.
Political Fallout Becomes Hard to Ignore
Democrats latched on to Musk’s deep-pocketed support for the failed Wisconsin candidate. They painted him as a dangerous influence and a unifying target for their fractured base.
Privately, even some Trump insiders felt relieved. Musk’s departure could cool tensions and bring some order back to the administration. Many believe his headline-grabbing tactics became a distraction.
Trump Still Praises Musk But Acknowledges Shift
On Monday night, Trump spoke kindly about his ally but acknowledged reality. “At some point Elon’s going to want to go back to his company,” he told reporters. “He wants to. I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”
White House spokesman Harrison Fields echoed that tone. “Elon has been instrumental in executing the President’s agenda,” he said. “And will continue this good work until the President says otherwise.”
Musk Leaves Trump, But Not Politics
Even with his exit from official duties, Musk may not be done influencing Washington. Insiders say he still plans to support Trump’s reelection efforts and will stay involved behind the scenes.
But for now, the era of Musk running wild inside the government looks like it’s winding down. The billionaire’s transition marks a new chapter — for both his relationship with Trump and his political footprint.
