Elon Musk has responded to reports claiming he is set to leave the White House, calling them “fake news.” According to Politico, Trump reportedly told his inner circle that Musk would step back after assisting with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and federal spending cuts. Although Musk’s role has been unclear—sometimes described as a senior adviser, other times as a “special government employee”—his time with the government was always limited. As per ABC News, Musk’s position is capped at 130 days, meaning his departure around the end of May was already expected.

Musk clarified on Twitter that his exit was part of the original plan, not a sudden decision, echoing statements made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump also praised Musk, acknowledging that the SpaceX CEO had other responsibilities to manage. Despite stepping back from his formal role, sources suggest Musk may continue advising the administration informally.