Elon Musk has announced that he will significantly reduce his involvement with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position he has held in a temporary capacity. The tech magnate disclosed this shift during a recent meeting with Tesla investors, revealing that he would begin scaling down his responsibilities at DOGE starting in May. Musk emphasized that this change would allow him to allocate more of his time and energy to Tesla, the electric vehicle giant he leads.
While Musk has played a role in advising the U.S. government on efficiency initiatives, he made it clear that his commitment to DOGE would now be limited to just one or two days a week. His engagement will continue “as long as President Donald Trump wants him there and as long as the work remains beneficial,” Musk remarked.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Musk plans to cease his duties with the government by the end of spring after completing ongoing tasks at DOGE. As a temporary official, Musk is bound by federal regulations that restrict his work with the government to 130 days per year.
This reduction in government duties comes at a time when Musk’s other ventures, particularly Tesla, are facing substantial challenges. The electric car manufacturer recently reported disappointing first-quarter results for 2025. Tesla’s automotive revenue has declined by 20% compared to the same period last year, while its net profit has dropped by a staggering 71%.
Additionally, Tesla is grappling with increasing competition from low-cost Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, as well as backlash from certain European countries regarding Musk’s political affiliations and public endorsements of particular political parties. These external pressures, coupled with internal hurdles, have placed Musk in a delicate position as he recalibrates his priorities.
Despite these challenges, Musk remains steadfast in his belief that scaling back his government responsibilities will allow him to focus on revitalizing Tesla’s growth trajectory. This strategic shift in his professional focus could have significant implications for the future of both his tech empire and the broader electric vehicle market.