Elon Musk's tumultuous White House exit: What's next?
Considered the right-hand man of President Donald Trump, Elon Musk is facing a serious crisis in Washington. According to the "Daily Mail," relations between the billionaire and the White House have significantly deteriorated. There are even rumors that he will soon resign from his government role.
Elon Musk, the tech magnate and owner of SpaceX, was appointed a special advisor to the president and took charge of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This agency was established to make the government "leaner, faster, and cheaper." Musk presented ambitious plans to cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and reduce federal spending by $2 trillion.
However, his aggressive approach to workforce reduction and frequent outbursts on the social media platform X, which he owns, have sparked discontent among members of Trump's cabinet. The president was particularly concerned when Musk obtained permission to participate in a Pentagon briefing on China, fearing potential conflicts of interest due to Musk's business connections.
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Tensions escalated when Musk sharply criticized Trump's trade advisor, Peter Navarro, on X for defending presidential tariffs. Although Trump still expresses fondness for Musk, according to the "Daily Mail," their path together is starting to diverge despite a campaign contribution of $288 million.
Trump had already anticipated potential difficulties in collaboration and instructed his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, to hold regular meetings with Musk. Nevertheless, Musk clashed with Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a cabinet meeting. Many officials were frustrated that Musk did not consult his plans before publicly announcing them, which disrupted White House communication.
In February, Musk caused a sensation at a significant conservative event by appearing on stage with a chainsaw to emphasize his determination to cut government spending. This controversial gesture was deemed "too extreme" by many of Trump's allies. Senator Lindsey Graham warned that the shocking moment could be used against Republicans in upcoming elections.
Musk's increasingly unpredictable behavior has earned him a reputation as a difficult collaborator. Critics accuse him of lacking clear explanations for his bold ideas or sudden changes in direction. The billionaire also sparked controversy by claiming that the American social security system has serious issues, such as registering people over 120 years of age. Trump reiterated these claims in a speech without verifying their accuracy, further causing confusion about Musk's role in the White House.
Will Musk no longer advise Trump?
According to reports cited by the "Daily Mail," Trump informed his cabinet that Musk will leave his government role in the coming weeks. Musk will soon return to the business world, reported Politico. Nevertheless, many do not expect him to disappear entirely from the president's orbit. One assistant stated that anyone who thinks Musk will be gone for good is "fooling themselves." The Tesla founder will likely still have regular access to Trump and an invitation to the Oval Office.
Returning to business means Musk will face the consequences of Trump's decisions. Tesla will be subjected to car tariffs because its key suppliers are in Mexico and China. "Important to note that Tesla is NOT unscathed here," Musk wrote last week on social media about the tariffs. "The tariff impact on Tesla is still significant."
Meanwhile, Tesla's global vehicle deliveries dropped by 13% in the first quarter compared to the previous year, which investors see as a sign of a negative reaction to Musk's involvement in the government.
