President Donald Trump’s best buddy Elon Musk was noticeably absent from his long-promised Liberation Day event on Wednesday.
The first Rose Garden event of Trump’s second term was missing the man who has been glued to the president’s side since his election win on November 5.
Pictures of the event featured many of Trump’s closest aides, allies, advisors and administration officials.
But social media sleuths were quick to point out the absence of the leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
It comes amid new reports that Musk is on his way out the door.
Musk has been an ever-present figure at the White House once Trump took office on January 20. He has an office space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which also houses the offices of the vice president and his staff and thousands of other executive branch employees.
Trump and Musk – as well as the billionaire’s son X Æ A-12, pronounced Ex-ash Ay-twelve – are often seen together at the White House.
The Tesla and SpaceX boss has attended Cabinet meetings and Oval Office gatherings, executive order signings and Trump rallies.
The duo has even gone to rocket launches together and been spotted mingling around Mar-a-Lago.
And in February, the two sat down for a joint interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, who called them best friends.
But now, the dynamic duo might be splitting up.
A new report from Politico claims that Trump told his inner circle – including members of his Cabinet – that Musk will be stepping back in coming weeks from his role leading DOGE and shaping the administration’s priorities.
The insiders told the outlet that both men have decided in recent days it will soon be time for Musk to return to his businesses and take on a supporting role.
They insist that Trump remains happy with Musk taking a hatchet to government agencies in the name of reducing government waste.
But allies and officials closest ot Trump have been increasingly frustrated with Musk’s approach and his unpredictability.
And on Tuesday, Trump’s preferred candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court lost to the liberal candidate despite Musk’s efforts and the millions he flooded into the race.