Donald Trump has publicly addressed the rumors regarding Elon Musk’s departure from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
On April 2, speculation arose about Musk “stepping back” from his position, sparking discussions on his future involvement with the government.
Trump discusses Musk’s role and departure from DOGE
Reports from Politico claimed that Trump had discussed Elon Musk stepping down from DOGE with his “inner circle.” The President is reportedly pleased with Musk’s work but acknowledges it’s time for him to leave the role.
The confusion surrounding Musk’s position had been growing, with the White House referring to him as a “senior advisor” in February.
Meanwhile, Musk himself was described as a “special government employee” (SGE), a designation with a limited tenure.
Musk’s time as a special government employee is ending
Musk’s role as SGE was always time-limited, with a maximum of 130 days in the position. Reports now confirm that his time leading DOGE will end by May 30.
While Trump initially voiced a desire for Musk to stay longer, he acknowledged that Musk’s responsibilities with Tesla require his attention.
Trump shares three reasons why he appreciates Musk
Trump spoke warmly about Musk, listing three key reasons for his admiration. He said:
Trump said: “I like him. He’s doing a great job. He is a patriot.”
Additionally, Trump also praised Elon Musk’s role during his 130 days of leadership in DOGE.
Trump also praised Musk’s effort. He called him a “very talented guy” and expressing a desire to keep him involved as long as possible.
Trump 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.”
The president’s admiration for Musk has been evident, with previous jokes about firing cabinet members who opposed DOGE’s work.
Despite acknowledging Musk’s departure, Trump emphasized that there’s no rush and that Musk will eventually return to his businesses.
Musk faces new challenges with tariffs on Tesla’s imports
As Musk prepares to shift focus back to Tesla, his company faces challenges due to new tariffs. Trump’s administration has imposed a 25% tariff on automobile imports.
Tesla has voiced concerns about the impact of these tariffs, noting that some of its vehicle parts are difficult to source locally. Musk expressed that the tariff would have significant consequences for Tesla’s operations.
Trump hinted that Musk could still play a role in politics, stating that he would appoint the SpaceX founder to a different position in the future.
While Musk’s time in government may be coming to an end, his contributions to the administration and business continue to spark interest.