Top Trump official leaves the White House in a dramatic turn of events

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This is a move no one saw coming. It’s caused a major shake-up in the Trump administration.

And one of Donald Trump’s top officials leaves the White House in a dramatic turn of events.

Elon Musk Steps Back from White House, Keeps Influence Intact

Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, has quietly scaled back his physical presence at the White House, where he has been steering the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from an office just steps from the Oval Office. The shift, previously unreported, marks a new chapter for the billionaire as he prepares to exit his formal role by the end of May, according to the New York Post.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, reflecting on President Trump’s first 100 days, shared in an exclusive interview, “Instead of meeting with him in person, I’m talking to him on the phone, but it’s the same net effect.” She emphasized that Musk’s reduced in-person involvement hasn’t dimmed his impact, noting, “hasn’t been here physically, but it really doesn’t matter much.”

Musk’s team remains firmly rooted in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the West Wing. “His folks aren’t going anywhere,” Wiles affirmed, signaling continuity in the ambitious cost-cutting mission Musk has championed.

While his exact plans for returning to the White House before his unpaid special government employee term ends remain unclear, Musk is expected to advise DOGE informally moving forward.

During Trump’s early months back in office, Musk was a near-constant presence, briefing the president in the Oval Office, joining cabinet meetings, and frequently traveling aboard Air Force One, usually with his young son, X, in tow.

His bold vision to slash the federal deficit by $1 trillion—effectively halving it—drove his high-profile efforts, though the precise savings achieved by DOGE remain undisclosed.

“He’s not out of it altogether. He’s just not physically present as much as he was,” Wiles explained.

“The people that are doing this work are here doing good things and paying attention to the details. He’ll be stepping back a little, but he’s certainly not abandoning it. And his people are definitely not.”

Musk’s whirlwind tenure in Washington saw him spearhead aggressive reforms, including dismantling the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and its 10,000-strong workforce and supporting the Office of Management and Budget’s push to eliminate the 1,700-person Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

His scrutiny extended across the federal landscape, from the Education Department to the Pentagon and numerous smaller agencies.

These sweeping changes made Musk a lightning rod for criticism, particularly among Democrats. His actions also sparked vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and charging stations.

In a striking gesture of solidarity, Trump purchased a Tesla electric vehicle on the White House lawn on March 11, publicly condemning the vandals as domestic terrorists and calling for strong Justice Department action.

In a recent Tesla earnings call, Musk signaled a pivot, stating, “starting next month, I will be allocating far more of my time to Tesla.” The entrepreneur noted that while “the major work of establishing” DOGE is complete, he remains open to dedicating a day or two weekly to government issues, “as long as it is useful.”

As Musk recalibrates his focus, his imprint on Washington’s efficiency drive endures, with his team poised to carry forward the transformative work he set in motion.

Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.

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