Elon Musk can stay ‘as long as he likes’ but will want to get back to businesses, says Trump

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FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk listens to U.S. President Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 11, 2025.   REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

Some recent news reports have suggested Tesla owner Elon Musk could soon leave US President Donald Trump’s side.

PHOTO: REUTERS

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ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - President Donald Trump gave billionaire adviser Elon Musk a fresh endorsement on April 3 amid criticism of Mr Musk’s government reduction project and said he can stay “as long as he likes” but will eventually return to his businesses.

“Elon is fantastic,” Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to Florida for a long weekend.

Mr Musk, head of Tesla and SpaceX, has drawn fire for overseeing a US bureaucracy overhaul that has triggered the firing of thousands of government employees.

Some recent news reports have suggested Mr Musk could soon leave Mr Trump’s side, although it was not clear if Mr Musk would leave before his 130-day mandate as a special government employee expires around late May.

Mr Trump said Mr Musk can stay “as long as he likes.”

“He’s going to stay a certain period of time and then he’s going to get back to his businesses full time. But he’s doing a fantastic job,” Mr Trump said.

Asked how long he would be staying, Mr Trump said “I would think a few months.” REUTERS

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