Trump Hints That Musk Will Leave Doge, Could He Leave Tesla As Well?
President Donald Trump has signaled to top advisers that Elon Musk may be stepping back from his current role in the administration according to ABC News. Musk, who has been serving as a "special government employee," is nearing the end of his 130-day appointment, which is set to expire at the end of May. While speculation had been mounting that the White House might extend his tenure, recent developments suggest otherwise.
Musk’s Controversial Stint in the Administration
Musk's role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been a lightning rod for controversy, with his aggressive cost-cutting measures drawing both praise and intense criticism. Internally, his decision-making has caused deep divisions among Trump’s top aides, with some seeing him as an asset and others as an uncontrollable liability. According to ABC News, some of Musk’s defenders within the administration argue that reports suggesting he is being pushed out are exaggerated.
Despite the internal disagreements, Trump remains publicly supportive of Musk. "Well, 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. He wants to," Trump stated on Monday when questioned about the 130-day limit on Musk’s government employment.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also sought to downplay the notion that Musk is being forced out, posting on X that, "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."
The Tesla Question: Will Musk Stay or Go?
While Musk’s departure from government service seems imminent, another question looms large: will he soon be leaving Tesla as well? His time in Washington has coincided with a sharp decline in Tesla’s stock price, increased scrutiny from regulators, and growing discontent among shareholders. Some major investors have begun questioning whether Musk’s erratic leadership style and constant diversions—from running X (formerly Twitter) to his controversial government role—are harming Tesla’s long-term stability. Something that in my onion is undeniable, Tesla was booming before Musk decided he wanted to save the world, now it's all come crashing down and he only has himself to blame.
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The pressure is mounting. Reports indicate that some board members and large institutional investors are increasingly frustrated with Musk’s focus on external ventures rather than Tesla’s core operations. "The more time he spends on distractions, the worse Tesla does," one prominent investor remarked.
Tesla's falling stock price and missed production targets could provide the perfect excuse for a boardroom coup. While Musk remains the face of the company, his grip on Tesla’s leadership has arguably never been weaker. If shareholders continue to lose confidence, Musk might find himself forced out of the company he built, just as he is being nudged out of his government role.
I don't think we've ever seen a case like this, the richest man in the world who seemed to have it all, in just a few months has destroyed his legacy and nearly destroyed his company with it.
Conclusion: Musk’s Self-Inflicted Demise
Elon Musk’s meteoric rise has been defined by ambition, audacity, and an unwavering belief in his own brilliance. But his downfall may come from those very same qualities. His tenure in Washington was meant to cement his status as a visionary who could bring Silicon Valley efficiency to the government. Instead, it highlighted his impulsiveness, his lack of restraint, and his penchant for creating chaos.
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Musk has no one to blame but himself for the animosity he now faces. His desire to be seen as a savior—whether in business, politics, or social media—stems from a deep-seated inferiority complex. But instead of being hailed as a hero, he has alienated allies, angered investors, and put his empire at risk. His attempt to play kingmaker in Washington has backfired spectacularly, and now he finds himself on the verge of losing everything he once controlled.
