Today's Edition
WASHINGTON (dpa)
US Vice President JD Vance has firmly rejected reports of an imminent end to tech billionaire Elon Musk's role at the White House, stating that such reports are false.
Vance told Fox News on Thursday that Musk came in to make government more efficient and to "shrink the incredible vast bureaucracy." The administration had said this effort would take about six months, which is exactly what Musk has committed to, but he will continue to be available as an adviser, he added.
The South African-born billionaire is scrutinising all ministries and agencies with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) affiliated with the White House, which has since laid off tens of thousands of employees. Many protests in the United States have been directed against Musk as a result.
"DOGE has got a lot of work to do, and yeah, that work is going to continue after Elon leaves. But fundamentally, Elon is going to remain a friend and an adviser of both me and the president," Vance said.
Citing insiders, the magazine Politico and the broadcaster ABC News reported that President Donald Trump had suggested that Musk might soon play a lesser role in his administration.
Although Trump is still satisfied with Musk's work, Politico reported that the two have agreed in recent days that it might soon be time for the entrepreneur to focus more on his companies again and to take on only a supportive role in the future.
Trump had previously publicly stated that Musk wants to return to his companies someday.
"I think he's amazing, but I also think he's got a big company to run," Trump said.
"At some point, he's going to be going back. He wants to. I'd keep him as long as I could keep him."
