After spending months wielding significant influence over the US government and serving as a symbol for Donald Trump’s presidency, early indications suggest Elon Musk may be transitioning away from his prominent position in the White House. Musk’s impending departure from the “department of government efficiency” (Doge) he established is now being openly discussed by Trump and JD Vance, marking their most direct comments yet on his involvement with the administration. Despite these discussions, Musk clarifies that reports of his imminent exit are “fake news.” As a “special government employee,” Musk’s term is technically set for 130 days. Even if he is leaving, Vance emphasized that Musk will remain a close “friend and adviser,” adding ambiguity to Musk’s upcoming departure’s impact. The exact timing of Musk’s potential exit is less significant than the circumstances surrounding it. Contrary to speculation of a contentious split, Trump has consistently defended Musk, with no overt signs of acrimony from either party. Despite declining popularity and concerns among Republicans that Musk could be a political liability, Trump remains supportive of Musk’s contributions. A poll revealed that most Americans view Musk unfavorably, and Democrats have been leveraging this to their advantage politically. Musk’s financial investment and rally support in the Wisconsin supreme court election race, which he ultimately lost, illustrated his polarizing effect on voters. Despite this, Trump continues to commend Musk’s efforts, stating that he values Musk’s presence in government but also understands that Musk will eventually return to his business commitments. Musk’s tenure in government has been marked by successes and controversy, as he dismantled several government agency infrastructures and faced legal backlashes. Nonetheless, Musk has entrenched his businesses further within government services, secured lucrative future contracts, and maintained a platform for conservative political expression through his social media channel. It remains to be seen what Musk’s departure would entail in terms of his diminished physical presence and relinquishing any of the power and privileges he has acquired. Despite his controversies, Musk has become an indispensable figure within Republican circles, complicating the possibility of his removal.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/05/musk-trump-bromance