The mainstream media went into full panic mode on Wednesday over Elon Musk’s upcoming departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in late May — exactly as planned from the beginning of his appointment.
Politico reported that Trump told his “inner circle” Musk would be “stepping back in the coming weeks” and returning to the private sector to run his multiple companies, as if they’d uncovered some significant White House development.
The media suggested it represented a “shift in the Trump-Musk relationship” and that Trump officials had previously claimed Musk was “here to stay.”
Musk’s departure date has been set since January 20th due to federal regulations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Politico’s reporting with a tweet: “This ‘scoop’ is garbage. Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete.”
This “scoop” is garbage.
Elon Musk and President Trump have both *publicly* stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete. https://t.co/Brppff6SKi
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 2, 2025
Musk himself responded on X: “Yeah, fake news.” His post received 24 million views as supporters rallied behind him against the misleading media narrative.
The fact is that Musk has been working as a “special government employee” (SGE) — a designation that legally limits him to 130 days of service in a 365-day period. Since Musk started on Inauguration Day (January 20), his time runs out on May 30th.
Musk has been clear about this timeline. In his Fox News interview with Bret Baier last week, he explained: “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame.”
In February, he told investors he expected to be in the White House for about four months, which Trump confirmed on Monday.
“I think he’s amazing. But I also think he’s got a big company to run. And so at some point he’s going to be going back,” Trump said. “I’d keep him as long as I can keep him. He’s a very talented guy.”
The media reporting comes as Musk and DOGE have been making significant cuts at government agencies including the US Agency for International Development, Department of Education, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Social Security Administration.
These reforms have sparked controversy, with leftists targeting Tesla vehicles and charging stations for destruction in what the Trump administration called “domestic terrorism.”