Asger Risom
Once dubbed the “First Friend,” Musk steps back from hands-on role as Trump’s informal adviser amid growing scrutiny
Elon Musk is no longer a physical presence at the White House, according to Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
While the billionaire entrepreneur was a regular figure during the early weeks of Donald Trump’s second term, he has since scaled back direct involvement—though his controversial federal reform project remains in motion.
“Not physically here, but that doesn’t matter much”
Wiles confirmed Musk’s absence in an interview with the New York Post, noting that while he no longer visits the White House, the two remain in frequent contact.
“In place of in-person meetings, we now talk by phone—but the effect is pretty much the same,” she said. “He hasn’t been physically here, but that doesn’t matter much.”
Musk had served as a special unpaid government employee while establishing the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), technically a non-governmental entity.
As such, he is legally restricted to no more than 130 days of federal work per year. Despite pulling back from daily operations, Wiles insisted his team remains active: “The DOGE team isn’t going anywhere. They’re still doing good work—and paying close attention to the details.”
As reported by Digi24, Musk is expected to formally step down from his leadership role within DOGE, though not from its broader mission.
Political fatigue—and lasting influence
According to The Washington Post, Musk has grown increasingly disillusioned with political life, especially amid what he views as relentless backlash from progressive groups.
His appearances have not gone unnoticed: in February, he waved a chainsaw onstage at a Trump rally—a gift from Argentine President Javier Milei—and declared it “a chainsaw against bureaucracy.”
That visibility has come at a cost. Tesla has faced arson attacks, and Musk himself has become the target of international protests.
Nevertheless, DOGE continues to roll out sweeping layoffs: over 58,000 federal positions have already been eliminated, with nearly 150,000 more reportedly under review.
A quieter but continuing role
Despite the reduced public presence, Wiles reiterated that Musk’s influence remains strong. “He’s stepping back, but definitely not stepping away,” she said. His priorities have shifted back toward Tesla and other ventures, but his policy imprint on Trump’s second term appears set to endure.
Whether Musk returns to a more visible advisory role remains uncertain. For now, however, his absence at the White House is less a departure than a strategic retreat.
Elon Musk has scaled back his in-person involvement with the White House, according to Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Once a near-constant presence during the early days of Donald Trump’s second term, the Tesla CEO now appears to be retreating from the political spotlight—even as his controversial reform program continues.
“Not Physically Here, But Still Involved”
In an interview with the New York Post, Wiles said Musk “hasn’t been physically present [at the White House] lately, but that doesn’t matter much.” She noted that most communication now happens via phone calls, adding that Musk’s impact remains significant: “The effect is about the same.”
Musk previously served as an unpaid special government employee, leading the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a loosely defined task force operating as an unofficial non-governmental entity based in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
While no longer based on-site, Musk’s DOGE team remains active, particularly in streamlining federal operations. “The people working on this are here, doing good work,” Wiles emphasized. “He’s stepping back, but he’s definitely not stepping away. And neither is his team.”
Musk’s Political Fatigue and Lingering Influence
Elon Musk is no longer a physical presence at the White House, according to Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. While the billionaire entrepreneur was a regular figure during the early weeks of Donald Trump’s second term, he has since scaled back direct involvement—though his controversial federal reform project remains in motion.
“Not physically here, but that doesn’t matter much”
Wiles confirmed Musk’s absence in an interview with the New York Post, noting that while he no longer visits the White House, the two remain in frequent contact. “In place of in-person meetings, we now talk by phone—but the effect is pretty much the same,” she said. “He hasn’t been physically here, but that doesn’t matter much.”
Musk had served as a special unpaid government employee while establishing the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), technically a non-governmental entity. As such, he is legally restricted to no more than 130 days of federal work per year. Despite pulling back from daily operations, Wiles insisted his team remains active: “The DOGE team isn’t going anywhere. They’re still doing good work—and paying close attention to the details.”
As reported by Digi24, Musk is expected to formally step down from his leadership role within DOGE, though not from its broader mission.
Political fatigue—and lasting influence
According to The Washington Post, Musk has grown increasingly disillusioned with political life, especially amid what he views as relentless backlash from progressive groups. His appearances have not gone unnoticed: in February, he waved a chainsaw onstage at a Trump rally—a gift from Argentine President Javier Milei—and declared it “a chainsaw against bureaucracy.”
That visibility has come at a cost. Tesla has faced arson attacks, and Musk himself has become the target of international protests. Nevertheless, DOGE continues to roll out sweeping layoffs: over 58,000 federal positions have already been eliminated, with nearly 150,000 more reportedly under review.
A quieter but continuing role
Despite the reduced public presence, Wiles reiterated that Musk’s influence remains strong. “He’s stepping back, but definitely not stepping away,” she said. His priorities have shifted back toward Tesla and other ventures, but his policy imprint on Trump’s second term appears set to endure.
Whether Musk returns to a more visible advisory role remains uncertain. For now, however, his absence at the White House is less a departure than a strategic retreat.
As reported by BBC, his government role comes with legal limitations. Musk is restricted to no more than 130 workdays per year in any official federal capacity. Yet his influence continues, especially through DOGE, which has already cut over 58,000 federal jobs, with nearly 150,000 more potentially on the chopping block, according to The New York Times.
The political engagement hasn’t been without personal cost. Tesla facilities have been targeted by arson attacks, and Musk’s views have sparked global protests. Still, he appears committed to the broader mission of government efficiency, even if from a growing distance.