‘Elon is fantastic, he’s a patriot’: Trump dismisses exit rumors, hints at ‘horrible’ discovery

Upon Musk’s departure, the president said cabinet secretaries would take over the work he had been overseeing.

President Donald Trump expressed his strong support for Elon Musk, stating he wants the billionaire entrepreneur to remain in his role "as long as possible." Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, Trump dismissed reports that Musk would soon be stepping down as a "special government employee" with DOGE, according to Fox News.

"Elon is fantastic. He's a patriot," Trump said, said that Musk is welcome to stay at the White House for as long as he desires. "I like smart people, and he's a smart person. I also like him, personally. We're in no rush. But there will be a point at which Elon’s going to have to leave," he added.

His comments come amid speculation following a Politico report earlier this week, which claimed Trump had privately told close associates that Musk would soon exit his government role due to concerns over his "unpredictability" and potential to be a "political liability."

Musk was appointed as a "special government employee" following Trump’s inauguration, a designation that allows individuals to serve for up to 130 days within a 365-day period. That timeframe, which began on January 20, is set to expire on May 30.

When asked whether he would consider appointing Musk to a different government position to extend his tenure, Trump indicated openness to the idea. "I would. I think Elon's great," he said. "But he also has a company to run—or a number of companies to run."

Trump also hinted at a significant discovery made by DOGE under Musk’s leadership, stating the office had uncovered something "horrible" and "incredible" but declined to provide further details.

Upon Musk’s departure, the president said cabinet secretaries would take over the work he had been overseeing. He also suggested that some of Musk’s team members at DOGE could transition into full-time roles within various federal agencies.

While Trump did not provide a definitive timeline for Musk's exit, he suggested it could still be months away. "I'd keep him as long as I can keep him," he said earlier this week. "He's a very talented guy… and he's done a good job."