Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, is now planning to step back from his headline-grabbing role in Washington. Musk, who has been running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump’s administration, hinted that his political chapter may be nearing its end — and it's not hard to see why.
Musk’s decision comes as Tesla’s profits and revenues have taken a major hit. In the first quarter of 2025, the company reported a 20% drop in automotive revenue compared to the same time last year. Even more shocking — profits fell by more than 70%. Many say the business tycoon got too distracted by politics, and even Musk admitted that his government duties had taken his focus off running his companies.
Backlash has also been growing outside Tesla showrooms. Since Trump took office, protesters have been rallying across the country, demanding Musk's exit from his government post. Their main point? He was never elected, yet gained major access to sensitive government data and played a hand in shutting down entire departments to cut costs.
DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, was launched with the goal of trimming down the federal government. It was never supposed to be permanent, but its influence has been massive — and controversial. Now, there are signs that it may be winding down earlier than expected. Originally set to operate until July 2026, no clear exit timeline has been shared, but both Musk and Trump have hinted that the end is near.
Trump himself recently said, “At some point, he’s going to be going back,” referring to Musk’s expected return to his businesses. He also said, “it will end,” when asked about the future of DOGE.
For Musk, the pressure is mounting. Not only are protests intensifying, but the decline in Tesla’s performance is hitting him where it hurts — his fortune. With most of his $340 billion net worth tied up in Tesla stock, there’s more at stake than just political headlines.
It seems like Elon Musk is preparing to exit stage left from DOGE and return to what made him a global name in the first place — building rockets, cars and other big businesses -- far from the political drama of Washington.
