Tesla has denied reports that it has contacted recruitment firms to launch a search for a replacement for Elon Musk as chief executive. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the electric car firm's board began looking for a successor to Mr Musk last month.

Elon Musk might soon be leaving Washington, but he says DOGE needs to be a long-term project. Musk insisted in a TV interview that the project to slash government spending and eliminate entire agencies ought to endure amid signs that he may soon step away from the effort and return to his struggling electric car company.

Elon Musk has defended DOGE's work as he prepares to scale back his government role and spend more time at his businesses. Here's what might be next for him and DOGE.