Just months ago, Elon Musk was everywhere in D.C.—riding on Air Force One, shaking up federal departments, and even bringing his toddler to high-level budget meetings.
But now, the world’s richest man has taken a step back from his headline-grabbing White House role, and it’s raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Musk’s West Wing Presence Has Faded
According to Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, Musk is no longer physically showing up to the White House, despite spending much of the president’s first 100 days by his side.
His official title as a special government employee under the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is still technically active—but Musk himself is not.
“He’s not out of it altogether,” Wiles explained. “We’re still talking.
He’s just doing it by phone now.”
His physical absence has left a noticeable void in a White House that, for months, was practically Musk’s second home.
DOGE and the Billionaire’s Budget-Cutting Crusade
When Trump brought Musk into the administration as the so-called “Efficiency Czar,” it was an unprecedented move.
Musk was tasked with slashing waste, overhauling bloated federal departments, and somehow shaving $1 trillion off the federal deficit—a goal he ambitiously claimed he could cut in half before the fiscal year ends.
DOGE became Musk’s brainchild, and it quickly turned into one of the most radical experiments in American governance.
The mission? Dismantle the so-called “Deep State of Waste.”
So far, the initiative has led to over 200,000 federal job cuts, drawn multiple lawsuits, and triggered the dismantling of entire agencies like USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Praise, Outrage, and Protests
Naturally, Musk’s time in government sparked a political firestorm.
Democrats accused him of trying to hijack American democracy with Silicon Valley-style disruption.
Republicans, on the other hand, praised his efforts to treat Washington like a broken machine in desperate need of a reset.
Things got so heated that, by March, anti-Musk protests erupted outside Tesla showrooms.
Vandals even targeted Tesla cars, furious over what they saw as opportunistic tech-sector profiteering from government cuts.
Trump responded in dramatic fashion—buying a Tesla on camera and calling the protestors “domestic terrorists.”
He even ordered the Department of Justice to crack down.
Stepping Back, But Not All the Way Out
Now, Musk says it’s time to refocus. During a recent Tesla earnings call, he confirmed he’ll be dialing back his government involvement and dedicating more time to his companies.
“Starting next month, I will be allocating far more of my time to Tesla,” Musk announced.
His 130-day unpaid government appointment is set to expire at the end of May.
Still, he didn’t close the door completely. “I would still be interested in continuing to spend a day or two a week on government matters, as long as it is useful,” he said.
What Happens Next for DOGE?
With Musk stepping away, the future of DOGE is murky.
His team remains in place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and officials insist the mission continues.
But critics question how effective the task force will be without its charismatic—and controversial—leader at the helm.
There’s also the issue of transparency. Despite all the big promises, the Trump administration hasn’t released any official savings numbers.
The DOGE website claims it has saved $160 billion, but the site is riddled with errors and frequent corrections.
Mixed Reviews on the Legacy So Far
Musk and Trump argue that the cuts were vital to eliminate waste and fraud.
Critics, however, warn that slashing humanitarian aid and emergency funding could have devastating consequences.
Even with Musk no longer the face of DOGE, policy experts say the cost-cutting agenda isn’t likely to go away anytime soon.
The real question now is whether the initiative can survive without Musk’s relentless energy and headline-making presence.