Is Elon Musk Stepping Away from Trump’s Inner Circle? Here's What We Know

Elon Musk’s high-profile role in the Trump White House might soon be coming to an end.

According to several insiders, former President Donald Trump has told his Cabinet and inner circle that Musk will be stepping down in the coming weeks. While Musk has been front and center as the face of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), many close to the situation say it’s time for him to return to his businesses and step into a more background advisory role.

So why now?

A Political Liability or a Strategic Exit?

Musk’s critics within the administration—and beyond—have been growing louder. His unpredictable behavior and off-the-cuff remarks on X (formerly Twitter) have caused repeated headaches for Trump’s team. One major example: Musk heavily backed a conservative judge in Wisconsin who lost by 10 points, raising concerns that the billionaire may be doing more harm than good politically.

Sources also say Trump is looking ahead to the 2026 midterms and doesn’t want to risk losing control of the House over a controversial ally.

Still, this isn’t a complete split. Officials say Musk is expected to remain an informal adviser and may still pop up at the White House from time to time. But his official role as a “special government employee” is likely to end when the 130-day limit expires in late May or early June.

Internal Tensions Mounting

Behind the scenes, there’s been growing tension. Musk has reportedly clashed with Cabinet secretaries and ignored communication protocols. Some say his solo decisions—like surprise emails to federal workers or unvetted cuts to public health programs—have caused chaos inside the administration.

Even close Trump allies admit that Musk’s style doesn’t always mesh with the structured world of Washington. One insider put it bluntly: “They think he’s a genius, but he’s a one-man wrecking ball.”

Public Praise, Private Frustration

Trump continues to publicly praise Musk, often calling him a patriot and applauding DOGE’s mission to slash government waste. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump even thanked Musk for his efforts, calling him a “friend.” But behind closed doors, Trump has begun shifting decision-making power back to his Cabinet—and away from Musk.

That transition started as early as March, when Trump reportedly told secretaries that they—not Musk—were in charge of agency cuts moving forward.

What’s Next?

Musk hinted at the change himself in a recent interview, saying the team would likely hit its goal of cutting $1 trillion from the federal budget by the end of his term. Trump, too, has acknowledged Musk’s time may be coming to a close: “At some point Elon’s gonna want to go back to his company,” he told reporters.

Whether this shift is about damage control or just a natural next step, it’s clear that Musk’s chapter as the public face of government efficiency is wrapping up. But don’t expect him to vanish completely from Trump’s orbit anytime soon.