Elon Musk Still Remains a Close Advisor to Trump Despite Rumors of Being Pushed Aside

On April 3, 2025, Senator JD Vance, during an appearance on Fox News, officially dismissed all rumors that Elon Musk would be pushed out of the influence of the administration by President Donald Trump. Vance asserted that Musk would continue to hold the role of "close friend and advisor" to both the President and the Vice President, even after completing 130 days of work as a special government employee (Special Government Employee - SGE). The rumors about Musk being "pushed aside" first appeared in Politico, but Vance labeled these reports as "completely fake news." Musk and his role in DOGE According to Vance, Musk has committed to serving the government for six months, in line with this billionaire's personal plan. He emphasized that Musk "has not finished" his work at DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency - Government Efficiency Department), where he was tasked with improving government operational efficiency, reducing the cumbersome bureaucracy that is hindering the American people and wasting too much budget. Vance stated: "Elon has been involved, we say we need him to make the government more efficient, to ease the bureaucracy that is holding people back and costing too much money." Previously, Politico reported that Musk would "step back in the coming weeks" from his role as managing partner, enthusiastic supporter, and "enforcer" in Washington. However, Vance outright denied this information, asserting that the relationship between Musk and Trump remains strong. A report from the New York Times also agreed with this view, stating that Trump "has no intention of severing ties with the richest man in the world, even if he leaves the government." Musk is not discouraged after the failure in Wisconsin In the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election, where the Democratic Party achieved an important victory, Musk invested up to 20 million USD in the campaign and even appeared at rallies wearing the state's signature cheesehead hat. The billionaire also drew attention by handing out checks worth 1 million USD to voters. Although the results were not as expected, a close source quoted by the Washington Post stated that Musk was not affected by this defeat and still wanted to "get more involved in politics in the future." Regulations on special employees and Musk's long-term role According to regulations, a special employee of the government like Musk is only allowed to work a maximum of 130 days per year, equivalent to more than three months. However, they can continue to serve over many years. With a close relationship with Trump and Vance, Musk seems not to need a long-term official role in the government to maintain his influence. Trump continues to praise Musk's efforts at DOGE, stating on Thursday: "He has done a great job. We have uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud, abuse, and waste, and they are still... moving forward." Mixed reactions from the public and politicians Despite receiving strong support from Trump, Musk is not favored by the majority of the American public, according to recent polls. A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted from March 31 to April 2 shows that only 39% of Americans have a positive view of Musk, while 57% see him as an unpopular figure. Similarly, a Marquette Law School survey conducted from March 17 to March 24 recorded a support rate for Musk's actions in DOGE at 41%, with only 38% of participants rating him positively. Another survey from Quinnipiac University shows that 54% of respondents believe that DOGE and Musk are harming the United States. In addition, a Fox News poll shows that Musk's approval rating is only 40%, while 58% disapprove of his actions. This opposition is also reflected in protests at Tesla showrooms across the U.S. and worldwide, reflecting public dissatisfaction with Musk's recent decisions. Within the Republican Party, opinions about Musk are also divided. Some members have begun to criticize him as a "political liability," while Democrats have long targeted Musk, continuously placing him in a negative light. Nevertheless, Trump remains steadfast in defending his ally, demonstrating that the relationship between the two is not easily shaken. Conclusion Despite facing criticism from the public and some politicians, Elon Musk remains a significant figure in the Trump administration. With his leadership role in DOGE and close relationships with the President and Vice President, Musk seems poised to continue influencing U.S. policy in the near future, despite the challenges and controversies surrounding him.