Elon Musk Denies Reports of Stepping Back from Government Role, Calls It ‘Fake News’

Elon Musk has dismissed reports suggesting he will step down from his government role in the coming months, calling them “fake news.”

A senior White House official had previously told NBC News, Sky’s US partner network, that former President Donald Trump had discussed Musk’s potential return to the private sector during a cabinet meeting last month.

Politico also reported that Musk, who currently serves as an adviser and “special government employee” in Trump’s administration, might be stepping away due to his controversial policies and Tesla’s stock decline.

In response to the reports, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the claims “garbage,” stating, “Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will leave public service as a special government employee once his incredible work at DOGE is complete.”

Musk later reacted on X, writing: “Yeah, fake news.”

Yeah, fake news https://t.co/nPhTpZj3Fc

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 2, 2025

it was reported that a senior official indicated Elon Musk would step down from his role as a special government employee at the end of his 130-day term, which would be May 30. However, it remains unclear whether Musk will actually leave on that date.

Previously, the White House had announced that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary agency, would be disbanded on July 4 of next year to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The news comes just days after Musk revealed that some members of his DOGE team had been receiving daily death threats.

Musk has faced criticism for his efforts to reduce the size of the US federal government. Within weeks, entire agencies were dissolved, and tens of thousands of workers from the 2.3 million-person federal workforce were either fired or agreed to leave their positions.

Several lawsuits have been filed in both state and federal courts challenging the cuts recommended by DOGE.