Elon Musk's influence diminishes as he steps back from government roles

In the United States, Elon Musk has experienced a significant decrease in his online activity, with his posts on social media falling to an average of 40 per day in April 2025. This represents a drastic reduction from his previous pace of 68 posts per day over the prior six months leading up to the recent election. Musk's peak activity occurred in November 2024, where he made over 2,400 posts. The decrease in his engagement coincided with the conclusion of his role as a special government employee under President Donald Trump, which had previously enabled him to exert influential pressure on government policies impacting his businesses such as Tesla and SpaceX. While he has continued to post regularly in May, surpassing 750 posts thus far, it’s noted that this figure remains below his prolific social media use earlier in the year. Elon Musk’s withdrawal from direct involvement in government initiatives marks a critical turning point as he turns his focus back to his companies, especially Tesla. His prominent role in the Trump administration, particularly with the budget-slashing initiatives of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), appears to be waning. Despite his departure, the department continues to function with many of Musk's personnel entrenched in governmental roles, suggesting an institutionalization of his policies may persist. An anonymous source described the environment as chaotic and odd, indicating a challenging transition phase for those navigating the remnants of Musk's influence within the administration. The DOGE, which Musk founded, has already had noticeable effects within federal agencies, with staff members embedded across various departments, including the Social Security Administration. These individuals come from a background that supports Musk’s vision and initiatives that aim to modernize government operations, despite ongoing criticisms regarding their effectiveness and consequences. Democratic lawmakers have publicly criticized Musk's role, with some attributing the turbulence within the government to his influence and decisions. As Musk steps back from this influential position, the implications for both his businesses and the government are under scrutiny. The budget reductions tied to DOGE's efforts proclaimed significant savings, yet actual efficiencies have fallen short of projected goals. Musk expressed concerns directly to President Trump regarding tariffs that complicate the operations of his companies, reflecting a noticeable rift in their economic policy strategies. As he redirects attention toward his corporate endeavors, the broader picture of government efficiency under DOGE remains less certain, with both its future direction and the involvement of Musk's appointees impending continuity in question.