Elon Musk is set to depart from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, citing what he views as a series of “vicious and unethical attacks” from the left.
The tech billionaire’s special government employee status is due to expire at the end of next month, though the exact timing of his departure remains unclear.
Sources close to Musk indicate he believes his work at DOGE will continue unaffected by his exit, as staff members have already established themselves across federal agencies, The Washington Post reports.
The potential departure comes amid signs of Musk’s diminishing influence within the administration, including recent conflicts over appointments at the Internal Revenue Service.
Sources close to Musk indicate he believes his work at DOGE will continue unaffected by his exit
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had complained after Musk installed his preferred candidate as IRS acting commissioner without Bessent’s backing, according to The New York Times.
Cabinet members have also expressed frustration with Musk’s uncoordinated cost-cutting initiatives.
A particularly contentious issue emerged around Musk’s requirement for federal employees to submit weekly emails listing five accomplishments.
The mandate, issued on February 22, included a warning that non-compliance would be treated as resignation.
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The potential departure comes amid signs of Musk’s diminishing influence within the administration
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However, the Office of Personnel Management quickly clarified that participation was voluntary, with no consequences for those who chose not to submit the emails.
The policy’s implementation has since become inconsistent across agencies, with some departments abandoning the requirement entirely, whilst others maintain it without enforcing compliance.
Many employees who continue to submit the weekly emails are reportedly treating them as a formality or even a joke.
Meanwhile, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives has called for Musk to step away from his government role and return his full attention to Tesla.
In a note to clients on Sunday, Ives warned that Tesla is facing a “code red” moment.
Musk has been cautioned to step away from his government role and return his full attention to Tesla
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“Musk needs to leave the government, take a major step back on DOGE, and get back to being CEO of Tesla full-time,” Ives wrote, according to Bloomberg.
The analyst emphasised the inseparable nature of Musk’s personal brand and Tesla, stating “Tesla is Musk and Musk is Tesla.”
Ives further cautioned that Tesla has become “a political symbol globally of the Trump Administration/DOGE.”
He projected that the company could face “15 per cent – 20 per cent permanent demand destruction” among future buyers due to brand damage from Musk’s government role.
