Elon Musk Donald Trump: Time Elon Musk might borrow: Donald Trump admits he likes Tesla CEO, but doesn’t really need him in the White House combination
“Elon did a great job. Look, he’s sitting here, I don’t care. I don’t need Elon except that I happen to like him.”
This line may be a red flag for Musk’s future in Washington. Although Trump’s remarks sound friendly, they suggest that Musk’s role in administration – no matter how impactful it is – can end soon.
If Trump doesn’t need musk, why buy Tesla?
Surprisingly, Trump revealed at the same cabinet meeting that he recently purchased the Tesla Model S. No, it’s not for performance – it’s personal.
“I don’t need his car. I actually bought one and they said, ‘Oh, do you have a bargain?’ No, I said, “Give me the highest price.” “I paid a lot for that car,” Trump said.
According to Trump, this is Musk’s “support” and Musk smiled at the meeting and as the president speaks. At last month’s White House event, the Tesla in question – Red Model S. It is not every day that a current president buys an electric car just to make a certain point of view.
What is Musk’s current role in the Trump administration?
Musk has been working as a special government employee and is currently working on a cost-cutting job in the newly formed White House department called The Doge office. The team, powered by Musk’s technically-style leadership, has abandoned thousands of government employees and cut radical pushes for foreign aid programs to cut federal spending.
At Thursday’s meeting, Musk announced that Doge plans to cut Nearly $150 billion Start with the 2026 federal budget. While this may excite fiscal conservatives, the speed and scale of the cuts have caused confusion among multiple departments, and some of Musk’s business interests are beginning to feel the heat.
How did Musk’s business be affected by government work?
Tesla has become a target amid the backlash from Doge’s budget slam. Tesla showroom protests nationwide, with some Tesla owners saying their vehicles have been damaged.
“If you read this, it feels like the end of the world. I can’t see Tesla walking by the TV while it’s on fire. What happened?” Musk told employees at an internal all-hands meeting last month.
He added: “Listen, I know if you don’t want to buy our product, but you don’t have to burn it. It’s a little unreasonable.”
Even one of Trump’s biggest financial supporters – $277 million During last year’s election, spending support for Trump and Republican candidates – Musk seems to feel pressured.
Has Musk escaped Trump’s policies?
This pressure may be why Musk began to distance himself from some of the government’s options. Musk took another route after Trump announced tariffs last week on more than 180 countries in more than 180 countries. At a meeting with the Italian Union, he proposed the “free trade zone” between Europe and the United States.
And he didn’t stop there. Musk also jabs Peter Navarro, Trump’s top trade adviser, called him a “stupid, not a bag of bricks”, after Navarro regarded Musk as a mere “car assembler.”
Despite public criticism, Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that Musk will continue to take on the consulting role even after he has completed his formal work in the Governor.
How long can Elon Musk be legally in a government role?
Under federal law, special government employees like Musk can only serve up to 130 days in a 365-day period. This means the clock is ticking. Trump himself admitted earlier this month that he hopes Musk resigns “in a few months.”
However, Trump added that he hopes he “keeps as long as possible.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on April 2 via X (formerly Twitter) that Musk will leave the administration once his “incredible work of Doge is done.”
“Elon Musk and President Trump both publicly stated that Elon will be separated from public services after his incredible work at Doge is completed,” Levitt wrote.
Has Musk run out of time in Washington?
So, what does this mean for Elon Musk? On paper, he is still part of Trump’s inner circle. He is cutting budgets, shaking departments, and providing technically-style solutions to large government problems. But under the surface, cracks are forming.
From trade policy differences to public objections to Tesla, Musk’s role in Trump’s Washington may end soon, especially with legal time limits coming.
Trump says he likes Musk. But politically, it’s like it’s not enough.
FAQ:
Why did Trump say he doesn’t need Elon Musk in the White House?
Trump said he likes Elon but does not rely on him to make the administration’s decisions.
What does Elon Musk do in the White House store office?
Musk led federal budget cuts, cutting $150 billion.
