Elon Musk announced Tuesday that he plans to significantly scale back his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency, signaling a notable shift in his alignment with President Trump’s policy agenda.
The Tesla CEO, once one of the most visible allies of the Trump administration, has faced mounting pressure and criticism as his role in slashing government programs through DOGE sparked backlash that is now beginning to affect his private business. On Tesla’s earnings call, Musk said his time dedicated to the agency would drop considerably starting in May, calling the initiative “mostly done.”
He clarified that while he expects to remain involved, it would be in a much-reduced capacity. “I’ll have to continue doing it for I think the remainder of the President’s term just to make sure the waste and fraud that we stopped does not come roaring back, which it will do if it has the chance,” Musk said. “I think I’ll continue to spend a day or two per week on government matters for as long as the President would like me to do so and as long as it would be useful.”
Musk also addressed growing concerns that his close association with Trump has had negative consequences for Tesla. Without directly naming specific issues, he admitted there had been “some blowback” and “a few bumps in the road,” referencing consumer protests and public criticism aimed at the company.
“There’s been some disruption, but I encourage people to look beyond the bumps and potholes of the road immediately ahead of us,” Musk said. “Lift your gaze to the bright shining citadel on the hill I don’t know, some Reagan-esque imagery and that’s where we’re headed.”
In a surprising turn, Musk also seemed to distance himself further from the Trump White House by questioning the sustainability of his own government reform efforts and hinting that he may not continue beyond necessity. His remarks come amid increasing signs that he is beginning to pull away from some of the administration’s more controversial positions.
He also claimed, without offering evidence, that the protests against Tesla are financially motivated, alleging that demonstrators “are receiving fraudulent money” from the government. “That is the real reason for the protests,” he asserted, offering no additional details.
The shift suggests that Musk’s previously tight partnership with Trump may be unraveling, as political fallout begins to hit his business interests.
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