Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk has denied reports claiming he will leave his government role in the coming months, calling them “fake news.”
A senior White House official previously told NBC News that former President Donald Trump discussed Musk’s transition back to the private sector during a cabinet meeting last month.
Politico also reported that Musk, who currently serves as an adviser and “special government employee” in Trump’s administration, would return to the business world due to his controversial policies and Tesla’s stock decline.
Following the reports, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the claims, calling them “garbage.” She added, “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 responded on X, simply stating: “Yeah, fake news.”
NBC News reported that Musk’s role as a special government employee is set to end on May 30, but it remains unclear whether he will actually step down on that date.
The White House previously announced that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary agency, would be terminated on July 4 next year—coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Musk’s tenure has been controversial, particularly due to his efforts to downsize the federal government. In just a few weeks, entire agencies have been dismantled, and tens of thousands of federal employees have been dismissed or have voluntarily resigned.
His actions have led to multiple lawsuits in state and federal courts challenging the cuts recommended by DOGE. Meanwhile, Musk recently revealed that some members of his DOGE team have been receiving daily death threats.
