- Trump signaled Elon Musk may step back from his White House role as his 130-day term nears its end.
- Musk’s presence has caused internal tensions, but Trump remains supportive of his cost-cutting efforts.
- Some officials expect Musk to return to Tesla soon, with no plans confirmed to extend his government role.
Elon Musk’s days in the Trump administration might be numbered—at least for now. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, President Trump has told top advisers that Musk could be stepping away from his role in government sooner rather than later.
Musk has been serving as a “special government employee,” a temporary title that caps out at 130 days. His current term is expected to expire by the end of May, and while there’s been chatter about extending his time in some capacity, nothing’s been confirmed.
Dividing Opinions Behind the Scenes
As ABC News previously reported, Musk’s involvement in the administration hasn’t exactly been drama-free. His decision-making style and public presence have reportedly stirred tensions among Trump’s senior aides, with some growing frustrated over his influence and unpredictability.
Still, others inside the White House say talk of Musk being “pushed out” is overblown. In fact, Trump is said to be pleased with Musk’s work—especially the cost-cutting efforts from his Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.), which, despite legal pushback and public outcry, has become a cornerstone of Trump’s attempt to slim down the federal government.
“There’s no doubt Musk has shaken things up,” one source said. “Whether you like the results or not, he’s been effective.”
Trump Speaks on Musk’s Future
When asked directly about Musk and the 130-day employment limit, Trump didn’t shut down the idea of Musk leaving—but didn’t sound upset about it either.
“I think he’s amazing,” Donald Trump said Monday. “But he’s also got a big company to run. So at some point, he’s going back. He wants to.”
That “big company,” of course, is Tesla—and many in Washington have wondered how long Musk can juggle both roles.
Managing the Musk Situation
Privately, some White House officials have accepted that Musk isn’t really the type to be reined in. Sources say they’ve shifted focus to simply managing the chaos until his current term runs out.
Whether Musk steps away entirely or transitions into some new role remains to be seen. But with May approaching fast, the clock’s ticking—and it sounds like the White House is already planning for what’s next.
