Trump Expresses Desire to Keep Musk Around ‘for a Long Time’
Elon Musk, a unique government employee overseeing DOGE, has recently declared that he will dedicate more time to managing his electric vehicle company, Tesla, starting in May.
On April 23, President Donald Trump commended Elon Musk after the SpaceX creator revealed he would be reducing his involvement in Washington with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“I can’t speak more highly about any individual,” Trump shared with reporters. “He’s an extraordinarily brilliant person. He’s just wonderful.”
As a special government employee, Musk is limited to working with the administration for fewer than 130 days, as outlined in Trump’s executive order from January. He made the announcement on April 22, stating his intention to focus more on Tesla now that the crucial tasks of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency are complete.
“Beginning next month, I’ll be dedicating significantly more time to Tesla as the primary work of the Department is wrapped up,” Musk said during an investor call.
Recently, the company has faced multiple challenges, including a decline in stock prices, reduced car sales, and growing incidents of protests, vandalism, and arson targeting cars and dealerships. Musk had previously indicated that his collaboration with the Trump administration to audit federal agencies and cut unnecessary government spending has contributed to these difficulties.
“What [protesters and vandals are] attempting to do is apply immense pressure on me, and Tesla, to … halt these efforts,” he remarked.
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“These were misguided individuals who believed they were acting righteously,” Trump stated, adding that Musk is a patriot and that the misfortunes faced by Tesla should never have occurred.
“He cares deeply about the country,” Trump said of Musk. “He didn’t have to get involved, but he chose to. I told him, whenever he is ready, I’d like his continued involvement, but it’s his decision.”
In addition to highlighting Tesla’s electric vehicles, Trump also acknowledged Musk’s other ventures, including SpaceX and Starlink.
Musk clarified that he is not entirely stepping away from DOGE; he reiterated during the investor call that he will continue to ensure that the waste and fraud they have curtailed do not return.
“Automatic status updates and an accessible interface will empower federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies to prevent non-citizens from unfairly benefiting from tax dollars or voting illegally.”
Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
