Trump hints at Musk's potential exit from DOGE by end of May

As Musk’s role at DOGE nears its end, Trump says he’ll likely return to running Tesla.

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US President Donald Trump has suggested that Elon Musk's time as a senior adviser at the White House may soon come to an end, with Musk returning to focus on his companies.

Speaking during a White House signing ceremony on Monday, Trump stated that he believed Musk's work at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would likely conclude after fulfilling his temporary role, which is set to expire at the end of May.

“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, referring to the Tesla CEO. “He wants to. I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”

Musk, who was appointed as a special adviser to the Trump administration, has spearheaded efforts to reduce the US federal deficit. His cost-cutting initiatives, including the downsizing of government agencies, have drawn both praise and criticism.

However, there has been growing public concern over the chaos caused by DOGE's controversial approach, which included firing tens of thousands of government employees.

Musk's tenure as a government employee is capped at 130 days, meaning his role is set to end in late May. A White House official had previously suggested that Musk might continue working alongside Trump, but with the end of his temporary assignment looming, it now appears that his departure is imminent.

In his work at DOGE, Musk has worked to reduce the US deficit by $1 trillion, including eliminating government waste and fraud. However, a recent Quinnipiac poll found that more than half of voters believe Musk and DOGE are having a negative impact on the country. Despite this, Trump expressed confidence in the long-term effects of DOGE’s work.

"At some point, the secretaries will be able to do this work," Trump said, referring to the Cabinet members who have worked closely with Musk.

Meanwhile, Musk's other major venture, Tesla, is facing significant challenges. Sales of the company's electric vehicles have declined worldwide, and Tesla's share price dropped 36% in the first quarter of 2025.

Musk, who admitted to being stretched thin across multiple roles, appeared to suggest that his work at DOGE could be completed by the time his 130-day tenure concludes.

“I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame,” Musk said in a recent interview.