Payam Javan: Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and senior adviser to President Donald Trump, is no longer working from the White House, according to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Speaking to the New York Post on April 29, Wiles confirmed that Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), now communicates primarily by phone but remains actively involved. Musk’s team continues to operate from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House, ensuring ongoing efforts to streamline government operations.

Musk announced on April 22 during a Tesla investor call that he would step away from his White House role and DOGE leadership starting in May, as required for special government employees within 130 days. Despite his reduced physical presence, Musk vowed to support the Trump administration remotely to prevent the return of government “waste and fraud.” His departure coincides with Tesla facing lower-than-expected profits and a series of arson and vandalism incidents targeting its facilities, which Musk has publicly condemned.

The Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiatives, guided by DOGE, have saved $160 billion, terminated thousands of contracts and grants, and canceled numerous federal agency credit cards. However, these efforts have drawn criticism from Congressional Democrats, who on April 29 accused Trump and Musk of blocking $400 billion in congressionally approved funding. House Democrats also demanded Musk confirm his resignation by May 30, emphasizing the need for clarity on his role as DOGE faces legal challenges and public scrutiny.