VP: Musk to step down from government efficiency position, continues as adviser to Trump

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk will step down from his position within the Department of Government Efficiency, but he will continue to serve as a friend and adviser to both U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Vance made the announcement during an interview with US media on April 3, Caliber.Az reports.

Despite reports suggesting that Trump had informed his Cabinet members that Musk would soon depart and return to the private sector, the timeline remains uncertain. Musk’s tenure as a special government employee is set to conclude around late May, though it is unclear if he will exit before his 130-day mandate ends.

"DOGE has got a lot of work to do, and yeah, that work is going to continue after Elon leaves. But fundamentally, Elon is going to remain a friend and an adviser of both me and the president," Vance stated, emphasising Musk’s ongoing influence even outside of his government role.

As a reminder, Elon Musk is expected to step down from his role overseeing the Trump administration's "Department of Government Efficiency" (Doge) when his 130-day service cap expires in late May, according to insiders.

Musk, a special government employee, has faced controversy for his aggressive government restructuring, resulting in significant federal job cuts, including 10,000 at the Department of Health and Human Services. Despite Musk's planned departure, Doge’s operations will continue under Trump’s executive order until 2026. The programme, which has faced criticism for its deep cuts and restructuring of federal agencies, has saved an estimated $140 billion, though its calculations have been questioned.

Public approval for Musk’s efforts remains low, with only 41% of Americans supporting Doge’s work. Musk’s involvement has also raised concerns due to potential conflicts of interest related to his businesses' government contracts.

By Aghakazim Guliyev