Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White House

Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White HouseElon Musk will exit his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on schedule later this spring, once “his incredible work at DOGE is complete,” the White House confirmed Wednesday. This ‘scoop’ is garbage,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted to X on Wednesday. “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.”

Musk commented on Leavitt’s post, “Yeah, fake news.” The response garnered more than 24 million views.

Leavitt was referring to a Wednesday Politico article reporting that “Trump has told his inner circle & members of his Cabinet that” Musk “will be stepping back in the coming weeks from his current role.” Musk, however, has long been anticipated to step back from DOGE when his 130 days as a “special government employee” run out in May. Musk has been the public face of DOGE since President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the office on Jan. 20.

Musk officially was hired as a “special government employee,” which is a role Congress created in 1962 that allows the executive or legislative branch to hire temporary employees for specific short-term initiatives.