JD Vance reveals what Musk will do after DOGE

Vice President JD Vance has addressed what lies ahead for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) now that Elon Musk’s time as its head is drawing to a close — and whether the Tesla CEO will continue advising President Trump.

On April 2, a report by Politico, citing three sources close to Trump, claimed that while the president was happy with Musk’s performance at DOGE, both parties had recently agreed it was time for him to “step back.”

Confusion has surrounded Musk’s exact role in the administration. While the White House referred to him in February as a “senior advisor,” Musk has alternatively been described as a Special Government Employee (SGE) — a designation that limits public service to a maximum of 130 days.

Despite speculation, the White House quickly clarified that Musk wasn’t resigning or being pushed out. Rather, his fixed-term appointment as an SGE is simply reaching its end.

So, what’s next for Musk — and DOGE?

Speaking to Fox News, Vance dismissed the original report outright, saying: “That report was total fake news. Elon came in, and we told him, ‘We need you to help shrink the bloated bureaucracy that frustrates the will of the American people and wastes taxpayer money.’”

He added: “We estimated that would take about six months — and that’s what he signed up for.”

Vance confirmed that Musk will remain an advisor to the administration even after his official role ends.

“The work of DOGE isn’t close to done, and neither is Elon’s,” he added.

He pointed to the department’s early wins: uncovering fraudulent government grants, exposing seniors over 150 years old fraudulently receiving Social Security, and identifying widespread abuse within the system — with an estimated 40% of Social Security calls linked to fraud.

“DOGE still has a massive job ahead,” Vance said. “Elon may be stepping down in title, but he’ll continue to advise both me and the president. He’s done a lot of good already — but dismantling the bureaucracy won’t be a quick fix. It’s going to take a long-term, committed effort.”