Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk may be inching toward the White House exit, according to multiple insider reports that describe the SpaceX and Tesla CEO as “out of his depth” in Washington.
Sources close to Musk claim he is increasingly disillusioned with his role in the Trump administration, which he joined last year as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency—a department Musk, naturally, nicknamed “DOGE.”
Despite being known for his confidence in high-stakes environments like space exploration and AI development, political insiders suggest Musk is now finding the daily grind of government bureaucracy and political infighting far more taxing than he expected.
‘Out of His Depth’
Though Musk hasn’t publicly signaled any intention to resign, The Washington Post reports that he’s growing tired of relentless criticism, especially from what he calls “the left.” One White House insider told the Post that Musk has said DOGE will “continue its important work” even if he steps away and insisted his absence wouldn’t impact its momentum.
“No one can say DOGE hasn’t achieved a historic amount of success,” one senior administration official claimed, adding, “The results speak for themselves.”
DOGE’s “achievements” have been controversial. Under Musk’s leadership, the department has aggressively cut government funding for climate research, dismantled various scientific programs, and axed several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives—moves that have infuriated progressives and concerned scientists alike.
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Musk and Trump: A Fracturing Alliance
Beyond the backlash from progressives, Musk is reportedly facing growing friction with former ally President Trump. According to Rolling Stone, the relationship between the two powerful figures has soured significantly in recent months. One senior White House official didn’t mince words, saying, “Talking to the guy is sometimes like listening to really rusty nails on a chalkboard. He’s just the most irritating person I’ve ever had to deal with—and that’s saying something.”
The latest blow to their relationship reportedly came last week, when Trump personally barred Musk from attending a classified national security meeting about China. Trump, who is known for his outbursts, reportedly dropped the f-bomb during a heated conversation about Musk’s alleged business dealings with Beijing. “What the f*** is Elon doing there? Make sure he doesn’t go,” Trump was quoted as saying.
One government official tried to downplay the tensions, telling Axios, “POTUS still very much loves Elon, but there are some red lines.”
Those “red lines” appear to be tied to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, which has grown more intense in recent months. Trump recently slapped an eye-popping 125% tariff on Chinese imports—on top of a 20% levy imposed earlier this year in response to fentanyl trafficking concerns. The aggressive economic stance sent global markets tumbling to near-record lows, only to rebound slightly after Trump announced a temporary 90-day tariff pause for countries outside China.
What’s Next for Musk?
If Musk does step down, it would mark a dramatic end to one of the more unconventional political appointments in recent memory. His entry into the Trump administration was heralded by some as a chance to bring Silicon Valley-style innovation to Washington—but critics argue it has resulted in little more than chaos, culture wars, and technocratic overreach.
As always with Musk, the drama is amplified by his celebrity status and erratic presence on social media. While he’s remained tight-lipped in public, insiders suggest a departure could come at any moment.
The question now is whether Musk’s next tweet will be a bombshell resignation—or another bold declaration of his undying belief in DOGE.
