Trump Privately Indicates Elon Musk Could Step Back from DOGE Role in Near Future
Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025 – President Donald Trump has privately suggested that Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), may soon scale back his involvement in the administration’s high-profile cost-cutting initiative, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The revelation, first reported by Axios on Tuesday, aligns with Trump’s public hints this week and points to a potential exit as early as May, when Musk’s 130-day tenure as a special government employee is set to expire.
A Shift in the Inner Circle
Two sources—one a White House aide and the other a DOGE staffer—told Axios that Trump has confided in close advisers over the past week that Musk’s time-intensive role could wind down once key efficiency targets are met. “He’s said Elon’s got Tesla and SpaceX to run, and he can’t stay forever,” the White House aide recounted, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks. The DOGE staffer added that Trump mused about Musk “handing off” responsibilities to agency heads “in a month or two,” though no firm timeline was locked in.
The comments echo Trump’s Monday press gaggle, where he publicly noted Musk’s “big company” obligations and suggested his departure might come after the 130-day federal limit, ending May 28. Unlike that public exchange, these private remarks—made during Oval Office meetings and a Mar-a-Lago dinner—carry a more definitive tone, signaling Musk’s exit could be imminent rather than speculative.
DOGE’s Progress and Musk’s Bandwidth
Musk, tapped on Inauguration Day to co-lead DOGE with Vivek Ramaswamy, has been a lightning rod in Trump’s second term, driving a mission to slash $1 trillion from the federal budget by mid-2026. The initiative claims $140 billion in savings so far—via cuts to agencies like the Department of Education and mass layoffs—but has faced fierce backlash and legal challenges. Musk’s hands-on approach, including embedding staffers across agencies and accessing sensitive data, has drawn scrutiny, with critics like Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) labeling it a “national security risk.”
Privately, Trump has reportedly praised Musk’s “genius” but acknowledged the toll on his business empire. Tesla’s stock has slumped 42% since December amid DOGE-related protests, and SpaceX faces delays in Starship launches. “He’s told Elon he’s done an incredible job, but he knows the guy’s stretched thin,” the DOGE staffer said. Musk himself told Fox News on March 27 that he aims to wrap DOGE’s core work within his 130-day window, a goal Trump appears to endorse.
What’s Next for DOGE?
The private signals suggest a transition plan may be in play. Trump has floated keeping DOGE staff—nicknamed “DOGE People” on X—within agencies to sustain the effort, a concept he teased publicly Monday. Ramaswamy, the other DOGE co-lead, could take a larger role, though his own business ties raise similar tenure questions. Posts on X speculate Musk might shift to an advisory capacity, with one user noting, “He’ll leave the grunt work but stay in Trump’s ear.”
The White House declined to comment beyond Trump’s public statements, and Musk has not addressed the reports directly, though his X activity—reposting DOGE updates—shows no sign of slowing. Still, the 130-day cap looms large; extending it would require congressional approval or a new designation, options Trump has not yet broached.
A Test of Trump’s Vision
Musk’s potential step-back tests the durability of Trump’s signature policy. Supporters see it as a natural handoff after a “shock and awe” start, while detractors—like the 54% of voters in a Quinnipiac poll who view DOGE negatively—hope it signals a retreat from what they call a reckless experiment. For Trump, losing Musk’s star power could shift focus to results, with DOGE’s $1 trillion target still distant and lawsuits mounting.
As May nears, Trump’s private musings hint at a pivot—whether to preserve Musk’s legacy or redirect his energies elsewhere. For now, the billionaire’s shadow over Washington may be shrinking, but his imprint on Trump’s agenda remains a top story to watch.
