Trump’s Inner Circle Ousts Elon Musk as Tesla CEO Faces Public Backlash

Once a constant presence in Donald Trump’s political orbit—appearing in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and even on campaign communications—Elon Musk has now vanished entirely from the former president’s world.

Once name-dropped in weekly Truth Social posts and fundraising emails, Musk is now conspicuously absent.

Since April, not a single public mention has come from Trump or his team, despite months of near-daily references earlier in the year.

Even congressional allies who previously highlighted Musk in newsletters have gone quiet.

This abrupt silence coincides with a steep decline in Musk’s public favourability—now trailing even Trump’s in several key demographics, including independents and non-college-educated voters.

His growing unpopularity has turned him into a political liability.

During Wisconsin’s recent state Supreme Court race, Democrats painted Musk as a shadowy billionaire trying to sway the outcome.

His in-person appearance in support of the conservative candidate only backfired.

Judge Susan Crawford seized the moment, ran ads against him, and won by a commanding 10-point margin in a state Trump narrowly carried just months earlier.

Polling from Navigator Research further illustrated the shift.

Support for the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E)—a pet initiative linked to Musk—dropped significantly when voters learned of his involvement.

By late April, a majority wanted Musk removed before his 130-day advisory contract ends in May.

The Trump camp, for its part, has remained tight-lipped.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt has deflected questions, carefully avoiding Musk’s name altogether.

She said in a statement:

“The mission of DOGE — to cut waste, fraud, and abuse — will surely continue.”

But in Washington, silence often speaks loudest—and in this case, it may signal a quiet severing of ties.

Republicans Seek Elon’s Cash, Not His Image

David McIntosh, president of the conservative group Club for Growth, offered a clear suggestion: Musk should stay behind the scenes.

He noted:

“Hopefully he stays a long time to do that but doesn’t take on this role of a campaign surrogate.”

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana struck a more nostalgic tone, saying, “I miss him,” but added that Musk’s retreat from the spotlight would not sway the midterms.

Even staunch Trump ally and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice offered a tempered take—calling Musk a “patriot” before noting:

“We got too close to the fence. We mowed too far. We just adjust.”

In other words: Musk became more trouble than he was worth, and Republicans had to pull back.

Earlier this year, Trump’s campaign could not mention Musk often enough—using his name liberally in donor emails and digital campaigns to energise the MAGA base.

But since early spring, Musk has all but vanished from their messaging.

One February email read:

“I love Elon Musk! The media wants to drive us apart, and it’s not working. He’s great.”

Only one email has referenced him since—and it was to promote a “Gulf of America” hat Musk once tried on.

Musk Remains a Favourite Foil for Democrats

Democrats are not backing off Musk just because Trump has.

In fact, they are leaning in.

CJ Warnke, spokesperson for the House Majority PAC, said Musk remains a potent political symbol—especially when linked to Trump and the GOP.

While direct references may be fewer, Musk continues to surface in Democratic campaign ads.

In New Jersey’s gubernatorial primary, four of six Democratic candidates featured him in TV spots—not as a central figure, but often as a fleeting image alongside Trump.

The messaging is evolving, but the strategy remains: keep Musk tied to the broader Republican narrative.

Across states like Virginia and Pennsylvania, candidates still invoke Musk in press releases and digital campaigns, sometimes without mentioning Trump at all.

He has become shorthand for policies Democrats oppose—cuts to Medicaid, protectionist tariffs, aggressive immigration enforcement.

Even as his role in D.C. fades, Democrats are working to ensure voters remember his presence.

And Musk has not vanished entirely.

Just last week, he appeared in Saudi Arabia with Trump and other tech leaders, speaking at an investment summit and meeting with foreign officials.

Meanwhile, D.O.G.E which he helped launch, continues operating with staff he appointed.

His 130-day tenure may be nearing its end—but his political footprint has not disappeared.

The question remains: Is Trump quietly distancing himself from a once-close ally whose value may have waned?