Trump tells cabinet Musk will leave White House soon

In a significant shift, President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle, including members of his Cabinet, that Elon Musk will step back from his influential role in the Trump administration in the coming weeks.

 Musk, who has served as both a governing partner and a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies, is expected to return to his business ventures while maintaining a supporting role within the administration.

Despite being pleased with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative, both men have recently agreed that the time is right for Musk to reduce his political involvement, according to three Trump insiders who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Musk’s departure from a more central role follows growing concerns among administration officials and external allies who have expressed frustration with Musk’s unpredictable behavior and his increasing portrayal as a political liability.

Musk's recent setback highlighted political challenges

Musk’s growing unpredictability was brought into sharp focus on Tuesday, when a conservative judge he vocally supported lost his bid for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat by 10 points.

This loss, which was attributed in part to Musk’s backing, amplified concerns about his influence and the potential risks associated with his public support.

Trump’s allies had previously predicted that Musk would remain deeply embedded in the administration’s decision-making, even suggesting he would help Trump bypass the 130-day time limit for special government employees.

 However, insiders now say that Musk's time as a "special government employee" — a status that temporarily exempts him from some ethics and conflict-of-interest rules — is set to expire around late May or early June, prompting the upcoming transition.

Role transition and future advising position
While Musk will step back from his active role in the administration, insiders believe he will likely retain an informal advisory position.

Trump is expected to keep Musk involved in a limited capacity, with Musk continuing to make occasional appearances at the White House.

However, sources caution that Musk is unlikely to disappear entirely from Trump’s orbit, underscoring that his influence, although diminished, will remain present.

One senior administration official noted that Musk’s defenders within the administration believe the transition is necessary, as they feel he has already accomplished much of what he set out to do with government reforms.

Musk’s efforts to cut down government agencies have faced resistance, and some say he’s done as much as he can without going too far in his cost-cutting measures.

Challenges with communication and coordination
Musk’s critics within the administration have pointed to his lack of communication with Cabinet secretaries and his uncoordinated messaging, particularly on X, the social media platform he owns.

His spontaneous and often controversial posts, including unvetted plans to overhaul federal agencies, have reportedly created chaos and confusion within the White House.

The political challenges Musk presents were highlighted once again in the Wisconsin race, where his $20 million investment was seized upon by Democrats as a means of criticizing his polarizing influence on American politics.

The end of an era?

Trump’s easing of Musk out of the administration began well before the Wisconsin election, with discussions about the transition taking place as early as a March 24 Cabinet meeting.

During that meeting, Trump informed attendees that Musk would be transitioning out of his government role, a move that marks the end of an era for Musk’s involvement in Trump’s political orbit.

As the 130-day special status period nears its end, the coming weeks will likely bring clarity on how Musk continues to engage with Trump and his administration.