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Trump Signals Shift in Musk’s Role as Advisor, citing Demands on Tesla and Other Ventures
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump indicated a potential shift in Elon Musk’s role as an informal advisor, acknowledging the billionaire’s commitments to Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.The remarks come amid scrutiny of Musk’s influence within the management and growing concerns about the performance of Tesla under his leadership.
“He woudl have liked to ‘keep it for a long time,'” Trump said, seemingly referencing Musk’s advisory role. However, he added, Musk is also busy with cars, rockets and medical technology. “We have to let him go at a certain point so that he can take care of it.”
Trump suggested that this transition would occur “roughly at this point,” but assured, “But I’ll talk to Elon about it.”
Musk himself had foreshadowed this change,stating on Tuesday his intention to dedicate less time to advising Trump and “focus more on the management of his car company Tesla.” He expressed willingness to continue serving as an advisor for one to two days a week, pending the former President’s wishes.
The evolving relationship follows Musk’s important financial contribution to Trump’s election campaign, with a reported $250 million donation. After Trump’s election in November, Musk was appointed as an informal “efficiency consultant” tasked with reviewing the “Authority for Government efficiency” (DOGE), an agency created by presidential decree with the goal of streamlining government operations and cutting spending.
DOGE, headed by Amy Gleeson, has faced criticism over potential conflicts of interest, with some alleging that numerous DOGE employees have past or present ties to Musk’s companies. The agency’s activities have also impacted agencies that hold contracts with SpaceX and Tesla, raising further ethical questions.
According to its mission statement, DOGE aims to identify redundancies and inefficiencies across federal agencies. To date, tens of thousands of positions have been eliminated or are slated for reduction. Affected agencies include USAID, the department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of justice’s Civil Rights Division, EPA, NASA, NOAA, the FAA, the USIP, and international broadcasting outlets like Voice of America.
Musk’s involvement in politics has drawn criticism as Tesla’s performance has faltered. At recent shareholder meetings Tesla announced a drop in profits in the first quarter of 2025 of more than 70 percent. Treasurer from seven state states had previously accused Musk in an open letter not to pay enough attention to the company.
The shifting dynamics between Trump and Musk also reflect a broader trend. Musk initially held significant sway within the Trump administration. However, that influence appears to have waned. A recent example is the Wisconsin judge election,where Musk’s endorsed Republican candidate suffered a defeat.
“I was just one of many consultants, but ‘not the president,'” Musk confessed during a recent conference, acknowledging his limited success in opposing Trump’s tariffs.
Critics Question influence,Citing Tesla’s Performance
The arrangement between Trump and Musk has drawn criticism from ethics watchdogs and political opponents. They argue that Musk’s dual role as a government advisor and CEO of companies heavily reliant on government contracts presents a clear conflict of interest.
“It’s hard to see how Mr. Musk can objectively advise the government on efficiency when his own companies stand to benefit – or lose – from those decisions,” said Walter Shaub, former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in a recent op-ed.Conversely, supporters of the arrangement argue that musk’s business acumen and innovative thinking are valuable assets to the government. They maintain that DOGE’s efforts to reduce wasteful spending are essential for fiscal duty.
The question remains whether Musk can effectively balance his responsibilities to his companies and his advisory role to the former president. As Tesla faces increasing competition from other electric vehicle manufacturers and SpaceX navigates complex government regulations, the demands on Musk’s time and attention are only likely to intensify.
FAQ
What is the Authority for Government Efficiency (DOGE)? DOGE is a government agency created by presidential decree to reduce government spending and streamline public services. How much is DOGE trying to save? DOGE aims to reduce government expenditure by 15%, or approximately $1 trillion.
Why is Elon Musk involved with DOGE? Musk was appointed as an efficiency consultant to DOGE by Donald Trump, bringing his business experience to the agency’s efforts.
What are the concerns about Musk’s involvement? Critics argue that Musk’s dual role as a government advisor and CEO of companies with government contracts creates a conflict of interest.
* Which government agencies are affected by DOGE’s measures? USAID, the Department of Veterans Affairs, EPA, NASA, and other agencies have been affected by DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts.
