Musk Expected to Exit Government Role Amid Growing Frustrations

Elon Musk is reportedly planning to step down from his government post, frustrated by what he views as relentless, unethical attacks from the political left, the Washington Post reported Monday.

His departure would mark a shift in his increasingly strained relationship with the federal government, even as his signature initiatives as head of the Department of Government Efficiency remain in place.

The exact timing of his reported departure is uncertain. His status as a special government employee is set to expire at the end of next month. A source familiar with Musk’s thinking told The Post that he believes DOGE’s efforts will carry on without him, pointing out that staff from the department have already established roles within numerous federal agencies.

Speculation around Musk’s exit has intensified as his sway within the administration appears to be diminishing, according to reports, including an article published in the New York Times last week, which stated that the acting IRS commissioner was being replaced after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent objected to Musk installing his own preferred candidate without consultation. Musk has also faced pushback from other cabinet members for implementing budget cuts without coordinating with them.

Further controversy has stemmed from Musk’s workplace policies. He ordered federal employees to send weekly emails listing five completed tasks—warning that failing to do so would be interpreted as a resignation.

However, only two days after this directive was issued on February 22, the Office of Personnel Management clarified in a human resources briefing that the emails were voluntary. As revealed by the Post, an internal email stated that non-compliance would not be seen as a resignation and that no action would be taken based on the submitted messages.

Now, compliance with the policy varies across federal agencies. Some departments have dropped the requirement entirely, while others maintain it but rarely enforce or monitor it. In many cases, employees continue sending nearly identical messages each week and otherwise treat the directive dismissively.