1 month ago
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Elon Musk has left the White House but is reportedly still serving President Donald Trump’s administration over the phone. As head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the world’s richest man has helped fire thousands of federal employees since January.
“Instead of meeting with him in person, I’m talking to him on the phone, but it’s the same net effect,” White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles confirmed to the New York Post in an exclusive interview Tuesday that marked Trump’s 100th day in office.
Wiles added that Musk “hasn’t been here physically, but it really doesn’t matter much.”
She further stated that “his folks aren’t going anywhere,” suggesting DOGE is still spearheading the administration’s stated efforts to slash only wasteful public spending, which have nonetheless affected key public sectors, including health and education.
His influence became so prominent that Trump critics began calling him “President Musk.”
While there is no confirmed rift between Trump and the Tesla founder, Musk has always had a 130-day cap on his “special” government status.
Two government sources recently claimed that cabinet secretaries are eager for Musk to step back. Musk has seen his Tesla stock plummet — and his cars, dealerships and charging stations vandalized — in apparent protest of his newfound political influence.
Alex Brandon/Associated Press
In a notable break from Trump, the electric carmaker has criticized the president’s steep tariffs on imports to the U.S. Musk also reportedly clashed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in March and publicly called Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro “a moron.”
With the net income for Tesla down 71% this past quarter, Musk announced during an April 22 earnings call that he’d be spending less time on DOGE and more on his company. Wiles says, however, that DOGE won’t leave the White House merely because Musk has.
“He’s not out of it altogether,” she told the Post. “He’s just not physically present as much as he was. The people that are doing this work are here doing good things and paying attention to the details. He’ll be stepping back a little, but he’s certainly not abandoning it.”
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Wiles continued, “And his people are definitely not.”
English (US) ·