Trump says DOGE found something ‘horrible,’ wants Musk around as long as possible

President Donald Trump expressed his desire for Elon Musk to remain on his team for as long as possible during a recent conversation with reporters. Trump commended Musk, calling him a patriot and stating that he personally wants him to stay at the White House for an extended period. The president’s comments came amidst speculation that Musk may be leaving his role as a “special government employee” with DOGE, a move that was reported by Politico earlier in the week.

When questioned about the duration of Musk’s stay as a special government employee, Trump mentioned that the current timeframe allows Musk to work for the federal government for up to 130 days in a 365-day period, starting from Inauguration Day. This would mean that Musk’s term would conclude on May 30. Despite this limitation, Trump hinted at the possibility of appointing Musk to a different post to retain his services for a longer period.

Trump emphasized that Musk has been instrumental in his work with DOGE, but eventually, Musk will have to move on to focus on his numerous companies. The president mentioned that once Musk departs from DOGE, the Secretaries within his cabinet will take over the responsibilities that Musk has been handling. Trump alluded to the fact that some significant findings had been made during Musk’s tenure at DOGE, but he refrained from divulging further details to the press.

Musk officially began his work with DOGE after Trump signed an executive order establishing the office on January 20. The role of a “special government employee” was created in 1962 to allow temporary employees to work on short-term initiatives within the executive or legislative branches. When asked about Musk’s potential departure date, Trump hinted that it could be a few months away.

The president expressed his admiration for Musk’s talent and intelligence, stating that he would keep him around for as long as possible. Trump envisions that many of the employees working under Musk at DOGE will eventually transition into full-time positions within various federal agencies.

In conclusion, Trump’s remarks reflect his appreciation for Elon Musk’s contributions to his team and the government. While Musk’s tenure as a special government employee may be limited by regulations, Trump is keen on retaining Musk’s services for as long as circumstances allow. The partnership between Trump and Musk has been fruitful, with the hope that Musk’s expertise will continue to benefit the government in various capacities.