Elon Musk is in the process of stepping back from his very active role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, telling reporters Wednesday that with DOGE getting more into a “rhythm,” he can spend less time in Washington and more time focusing on his businesses.
His official role will wrap up around May 30, though he will still be an informal advisor, according to reports.
It’s “been an honor to work with your incredible Cabinet,” Musk told the president at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting. “I would just like to say thank you to everyone, it was an honor to work with you, so thank you for everything.”
“A tremendous amount has been accomplished in the first 100 days,” he noted, touting $160 billion in savings from spending cuts, rooting out fraud, and a reduced government workforce. “As everyone has said, it’s more than has been accomplished in any administration before. Ever. So this portends very well for what happens, for the rest of the administration.”
Trump thanked Musk for his efforts.
“You really have sacrificed a lot and have been treated very unfairly,” he said.
“They do like to burn my cars, which is not great,” Musk replied.
“The vast majority of people really respect and appreciate you,” Trump added. “You’ve opened up a lot of eyes as to what could be done.”
EYE-WATERING MOMENT: Trump’s cabinet erupts in applause for Elon Musk—thanking him for the personal sacrifices he’s made to help save the country.
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) April 30, 2025
It wasn’t scripted. It wasn’t expected. But it was real—and it said everything that needed to be said. @elonmusk sat quietly at… pic.twitter.com/Nq0B7WP7mi
🚨 NEW: Elon Musk speaks at the White House Cabinet Meeting and says DOGE has saved $160B and counting so far. President Trump thanks Elon and says “You can stay as long as you like,” and Elon thanks both Trump and the cabinet. pic.twitter.com/lo3SFquGyX
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) April 30, 2025
🚨 LMAO! President Trump & Elon Musk are bantering back and forth at the cabinet meeting
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 30, 2025
TRUMP: "Elon, I love your double hat, by the way. He's the only one who can get away with that"
ELON: "Well, Mr. President, as they say, I wear a lot of hats. Even my hat wears a hat" 🤣 pic.twitter.com/5hGGfvTHiT
Trump noted Musk is welcome to stay as long as he wants working in his administration, but acknowledged the tech titan "wants to get back home to his cars."
During a Tesla earnings calls last week, Musk said he would be allocating a much greater amount of his time to his electric car company “now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done.”
Musk and Tesla on Wednesday poured cold water on a Wall Street Journal report claiming the company was looking for a new CEO.
It is an EXTREMELY BAD BREACH OF ETHICS that the @WSJ would publish a DELIBERATELY FALSE ARTICLE and fail to include an unequivocal denial beforehand by the Tesla board of directors! https://t.co/9xdypLGg3c
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 1, 2025