White House representatives and Republican operatives were unsure for weeks when or if Elon Musk was going to leave the government. Many Republicans are now looking to distance themselves completely from Musk’s team.
A Republican with knowledge of this situation tells Wired that “everyone is in a bit fucking a pinch.” “You know, this whole thing is just fucking absurd, honestly. Many people agree with his goals. WIRED spoke with a number close advisers and operatives within Trumpworld who were allowed to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of this topic.
While Musk’s step-back appears imminent, those in and around the White House remain unsure of the future of his Department of Government Efficiency.
Despite this, none of those interviewed for the story believe that DOGE will be going anywhere soon. A source close to White House says that “DOGE is very popular.” “Even Elon personally is less popular.” (Polls indicate DOGE is not very popular with the general public.)
Requests for comment from the White House were not answered.
Trump will hold a press conference today in what appears to have been an attempt at a last send-off. Trump announced the event on Truth Social by posting: “This will be the last day for him, but not really. He will always be with us and help all the way.” “Elon is terrific!” Davis has worked with Musk over the years, both at X as well as the President of the Boring Company. Davis has been crucial to the day-to-day operations of DOGE, and Sahil Lvingia, recently fired DOGE employee, told WIRED Davis led the group. Lavingia claims that Davis was the only one who had a complete understanding of everything.
But not everyone in Trumpworld was aware of the role he played. A well-placed White House source told WIRED that she didn’t know Steve Davis. She also claimed that other Trump advisers, and White House aides, were in the dark as to one of the key players in the government takeover.
White House officials are looking forward to Katie Miller’s departure, the wife of White House deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller. CNN reports that she will be working for Musk. One source told the outlet that she is now working with Musk “full time.” She has been one of Musk’s key allies ever since he arrived in Washington and, as WIRED revealed in February, was the one who delivered bad news to him. Both Millers are credited with showing Musk the sights in Washington and accompanying Musk to events.
A senior Republican strategist who is familiar with the situation told WIRED that “there are a lot people in the industry who work with her or have worked with, and she leaves dead bodies everywhere she goes.” Katie Miller did not respond to requests for comments.
Republicans said that there was also a palpable feeling of relief when it appeared that Musk and other members of his leadership began their departures.
According to a Republican donor organizer and campaign advisor, they are not convinced that Musk will not return. “Nothing is set in stone with Trump and the people around him,” they claim. They say they are still telling their clients, both new and incumbent candidates, to use Musk’s departure as an opportunity to distance themselves from DOGE’s chain saw.
They say, “I think people should distance themselves from this.”
