Trump Signals Elon Musk’s Exit from DOGE in Coming Months as Cost-Cutting Role Winds Down
Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025 – President Donald Trump hinted on Monday that Elon Musk, the billionaire spearheading the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), may step away from his White House role in the coming months, potentially as early as May. Speaking to reporters during an Oval Office press gaggle, Trump suggested that Musk’s tenure as a special government employee—capped at 130 days under federal rules—could mark the end of his direct involvement in DOGE, a flagship initiative of Trump’s second term aimed at slashing federal spending.
A Temporary Tenure Nears Its Close
Trump’s remarks came amid questions about DOGE’s future as Musk nears the legal limit of his temporary status, which began January 20 and is set to expire by late May unless extended. “He’s got a big company to run, and so at some point he’s going to be going back,” Trump said of Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. “I’d keep him as long as I could keep him—he’s a very talented guy—but I think it will end.” The president praised Musk’s “amazing” work, noting that agency heads have “learned a lot” from DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting, suggesting their education might sustain the effort post-Musk.
Musk himself foreshadowed the timeline in a March 27 Fox News interview with Bret Baier, saying he expects to achieve DOGE’s goal of cutting $1 trillion in federal spending “within that [130-day] time frame.” Posts on X align with this, with users citing Trump’s comments and speculating Musk’s exit could come “in weeks,” though no firm date beyond May has been confirmed.
DOGE’s Divisive Legacy
Launched via executive order on Trump’s first day back in office, DOGE has been a lightning rod, tasked with trimming $1 trillion from the federal budget—down from an initial $2 trillion pledge—by July 4, 2026. Under Musk’s leadership, the initiative has claimed $140 billion in savings as of April 1, per its website, though critics dispute the figures, pointing to errors in its “wall of receipts” ledger. The effort has gutted agencies like USAID and the Education Department, fired thousands of federal workers, and sparked dozens of lawsuits alleging overreach and constitutional violations.
Public backlash has grown, with a Quinnipiac poll showing 54% of voters believe Musk and DOGE are hurting the country. Tesla, meanwhile, has faced protests and vandalism tied to Musk’s political role, with its stock dropping from a $480 peak in December to $275 this week after a grim quarterly report. Trump condemned the attacks, calling Musk “a patriot” who “should not be treated that way.”
What Happens Next?
Trump’s comments leave DOGE’s fate murky. “A lot of the people working with DOGE are the secretaries, the heads of the various agencies,” he said. “I think some of them may try to keep the DOGE people with them.” This suggests a possible transition to agency-led efficiency efforts, though Trump stopped short of committing to DOGE’s continuation without Musk. Posts on X reflect uncertainty, with one user joking, “They’re called the DOGE People—no one knows what they want, but they’re watching the agencies.”
Musk’s looming departure—whether in May or sooner—raises questions about DOGE’s sustainability amid legal challenges and public discontent. For now, Trump appears content to let Musk’s “chainsaw” approach wind down, betting that its lessons will linger as he navigates a second term defined by bold promises and fierce resistance. As the clock ticks toward May, the billionaire’s exit could close a tumultuous chapter—or merely shift it to a new stage.
