Just a few months ago, Elon Musk was riding high as President Trump’s right-hand man—his so-called “tech support” and the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, cheekily nicknamed DOGE.
But now? Things are looking a bit shaky for the Tesla and SpaceX mogul in the political arena.
Whispers are growing louder in D.C. that Musk might be stepping away from his powerful position.
At the same time, his approval numbers are dropping, and a string of tech-related blunders at DOGE isn’t helping his image.
Musk’s DOGE Team Accidentally Shuts Down Social Security Website
This week, the internet exploded with frustration as the Social Security Administration’s website unexpectedly crashed.
The reason? An “anti-fraud upgrade” led by DOGE’s youthful, tech-savvy staff went sideways—causing outages that locked elderly Americans and low-income families out of essential services.
People couldn’t access their accounts, apply for assistance, or even receive their payments.
And it wasn’t the first time—it’s become a trend of digital mishaps since DOGE began its aggressive push to trim down federal departments.
This latest incident raised serious concerns about how much control DOGE, under Musk’s leadership, should actually have—especially when vulnerable populations are left in the dark.
Musk’s Popularity Hits a New Low
Once seen as a genius innovator and Trump’s go-to disruptor, Musk is now facing a major backlash.
According to a recent national poll from Marquette Law School, only 38% of Americans view him favorably, while 60% have an unfavorable opinion.
Even when it comes to his leadership of DOGE specifically, Musk isn’t faring much better—41% approve of his handling of the department, but 58% say they disapprove.
It’s a steep fall from grace for someone who was practically glued to Trump’s side just months ago.
From Rocket Launches to Rose Garden Absences
It wasn’t long ago that Musk and Trump were seen as an unbreakable duo.
They appeared together at rallies, executive briefings, rocket launches, and even joint interviews—complete with Musk’s son, X Æ A-12, in tow.
In February, they sat down for a chat with Fox News host Sean Hannity, who playfully called them “best friends.” But fast forward to now, and things feel… different.
At Trump’s major “Liberation Day” announcement in the Rose Garden, Musk was noticeably absent.
It was the kind of event he’d normally never miss.
The rest of the president’s tight inner circle showed up, but Musk? Nowhere in sight.
Rumors of a Split, Denials from the White House
According to a Politico report, Trump has allegedly told close confidants—including members of his Cabinet—that Musk is preparing to quietly step away from his role in the administration.
While there’s been no official statement confirming this, the buzz around D.C. is growing. Still, the White House insists Musk isn’t going anywhere.
But the vibe has definitely shifted. Their once-daily appearances and coordinated messaging have faded.
Whether it’s due to Musk’s declining popularity, tech stumbles, or a strategic political move—something’s clearly changed.
What’s Next for Musk and DOGE?
With the backlash over DOGE’s Social Security glitch and mounting disapproval from the public, Elon Musk’s role in Washington is at a crossroads.
Will he retreat from the political spotlight and go back to focusing on his tech empires? Or is this just a bump in the road for his government ambitions?
Time will tell. But for now, it seems like the bromance between Trump and Musk may be cooling off—and the country is watching every move.
