Trump breaks silence after reportedly telling 'inner circle' Musk would be stepping down

Donald Trump has spoken out about Elon Musk as the Tesla CEO’s time as a “special government employee” officially comes to an end.

On April 2, speculation emerged about Musk’s departure from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A Politico report, citing three sources close to Trump, claimed that while the president was pleased with Musk’s work, both men had recently agreed that it was time for him to step down.

Confusion had previously surrounded Musk’s exact role in the administration. While the White House described him as a “senior advisor” in February, elsewhere, he was referred to as a “special government employee” (SGE). However, these rumors of Musk “stepping down” were quickly put to rest.

Musk’s position as an SGE means his government service was always temporary—limited by law to a maximum of 130 days, per Politico. As a result, his time in the role was simply coming to its natural conclusion. He is expected to officially leave his position by May 30.

Trump’s Thoughts on Musk’s Exit

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump addressed Musk’s departure and made it clear he wanted him to stay longer. “I want Elon to stay as long as possible,” he told reporters.

Trump then summed up his admiration for Musk in three key points:

“Number one: I like him.
Number two: He’s doing a great job.
Number three: He is a patriot.”

Though the president acknowledged that Musk’s time in the administration was coming to an end, he assured there was “no rush” for him to leave. He also noted that Musk has “a number of companies to run” and would eventually need to return to them full-time.

Musk and Trump’s Tariffs

As Musk prepares to refocus on Tesla, one key issue looms—Trump’s newly announced 25% tariff on imported automobiles and certain auto parts. The White House framed the tariffs as a move to protect U.S. national security and bolster domestic manufacturing.

However, Tesla has expressed concerns. In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the company warned that some vehicle parts are “difficult or impossible” to source domestically. With 20-25% of Tesla’s parts coming from abroad, these tariffs could significantly increase production costs.

Musk addressed the issue on Twitter, writing (via The Statesman): “Important to note that Tesla is NOT unscathed here. The tariff impact on Tesla is still significant.”

As for Musk’s political future, Trump hinted that this may not be the last time the billionaire is involved in government. He confirmed that he “would” consider appointing the SpaceX founder to a different role in the future, calling him “great.”