President Donald Trump has notified his close advisers and Cabinet members that Elon Musk will soon step back from his significant role as a key adviser, as reported by Politico on Wednesday morning. 

This information, corroborated by three individuals familiar with the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity, follows weeks of speculation regarding Musk's future in the administration. 

The announcement comes after a tumultuous period for Musk, who has encountered heightened scrutiny over his role in Trump’s administration. The pressure escalated after a Trump-endorsed judicial candidate in Wisconsin lost an important election on Tuesday. 

Musk, a key financial supporter of the campaign, has been blamed by political analysts and GOP strategists, many of whom pointed to his divisive public persona as a major factor in the loss. 

Alongside the political repercussions, Musk is facing increased pressure from Tesla shareholders. The company documented a 13 percent decline in sales for the first quarter of 2025—its worst performance in nearly three years—amid backlash surrounding Musk’s political engagements. 

Despite these hurdles, Trump has retained a favorable perspective on Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency initiative. Politico indicates that both Trump and Musk have recently discussed the necessity for Musk to reduce his daily government obligations, redirecting his focus back to his business ventures. Musk is anticipated to adopt a more limited and supportive role going forward. 

“The president continues to have a positive view of Musk,” Politico quoted, “but both individuals have decided in recent days that it will soon be the appropriate time for Musk to redirect his attention to his businesses and take on a supporting role.” 

Nevertheless, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the report, labeling it “garbage” and reiterating that Musk had previously stated he would step down from his government position once his work at DOGE was complete. 

Musk’s impact in the administration has extended beyond his duties at DOGE, as the CEOs of Tesla and SpaceX have regularly participated in Cabinet meetings and utilized his platform on X (formerly Twitter) to announce significant policy decisions. However, his unfiltered manner, which often features spontaneous announcements, has created tension within the White House, where some Cabinet secretaries have expressed frustration over Musk’s abrupt suggestions, including unexpected budget cuts. These were frequently shared on social media prior to any internal communication. 

The tensions reached a critical point in early March when Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly had a confrontation during a heated meeting. Musk allegedly accused Rubio of not terminating enough staff, a claim Rubio countered by highlighting the over 1,500 employees who had already accepted buyouts. The discussion continued for a period, with Trump ultimately intervening to support Rubio.