Musk to remain unofficial adviser to US president despite end of government role

Though Elon Musk’s official tenure as a Special Government Employee in the Trump administration is ending, a senior White House official confirms the billionaire entrepreneur will continue to informally advise the president and may participate in future White House meetings.

Despite stepping down from his formal role, Musk’s influence within the administration appears poised to continue, Caliber.Az reports via ABCNews. 

While the administration emphasises that Musk and President Trump parted on good terms, sources familiar with internal discussions say Musk’s criticisms of key policy initiatives, including what Trump has dubbed his “big, beautiful bill”, made just a day before his departure announcement, caused frustration among senior officials.

However, Trump has announced that he will hold a press conference with Musk in the Oval Office on May 30 at 1:30 p.m. (21:30 GMT+4). 

"I am having a Press Conference tomorrow at 1:30 P.M. EST, with Elon Musk, at the Oval Office. This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific! See you tomorrow at the White House," Trump wrote.

Musk’s exit coincides with a broader exodus from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the unit he helped create and led during his 130-day appointment. James Burnham, DOGE’s chief legal counsel, and Steve Davis, a longtime Musk aide who oversaw daily operations at DOGE, are both in the process of stepping down. Katie Miller, a senior adviser and spokesperson for DOGE, is also departing and is expected to continue working with Musk in a private capacity.

“Of course, as you know, Elon Musk announced last night his departure as an official government employee from the Trump administration. We thank him for his service. We thank him for getting DOGE off of the ground, and the efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse will continue,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Musk’s 130-day service limit, the maximum allowed for Special Government Employees, concludes on May 30. On the night of May 28, he confirmed his departure in a post on X, thanking President Trump and expressing confidence in the DOGE mission's future.

“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk wrote. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”

By Sabina Mammadli