For weeks, White House officials and Republican operatives weren’t quite sure when, or if, Elon Musk would actually be leaving the government. Now, many Republicans are already looking to distance themselves from Musk’s team entirely.

“Everybody is in a bit of a fucking pinch,” a Republican with knowledge of the situation tells WIRED. “You know, the whole thing’s just fucking ridiculous, honestly. People agree with what he’s trying to do. But some people just need a villain.” WIRED spoke to a number of close advisers and operatives in Trumpworld, who were granted anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the topic.

While Musk’s step-back seems to be imminent, those inside and around the White House are unsure of what all of this means for the future of his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Still, none of the Republicans interviewed for this story believe DOGE is going anywhere anytime soon. “DOGE is popular,” says a source close to the White House. “Even if Elon, personally, is less so.” (Polls show that DOGE is not popular with the public.)

The White House did not reply to requests for comment.

Today, Trump will hold a dual press conference with Musk in what appears to be an attempt at a final send-off. “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” Trump posted on Truth Social, announcing the event. “Elon is terrific!”

While Musk’s supposed departure has been making headlines, to those attuned to DOGE’s actual workings, the most seismic move came on Thursday, when news broke that top Musk lieutenant Steve Davis would also be leaving DOGE. Davis has worked with Musk for years, including at X and as the president of the Boring Company. He has been vital to day-to-day DOGE operations, and Sahil Lavingia, a recently fired DOGE staffer, told WIRED that Davis led the group. “Steven was the only person who was across everything,” Lavingia says.

Not everyone in Trumpworld, though, was aware of his role. “I don’t know who Steve Davis is,” a well-placed source close to the White House tells WIRED, claiming that other Trump advisers and White House aides are equally in the dark about one of the most important operators in the government takeover.

White House sources do say, however, that they are looking forward to the departure of Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, whom CNN reports will be working for Musk, with one source telling the outlet she is now with Musk “full-time.” She’s been one of Musk’s key allies since his arrival in Washington, and, as WIRED reported in February, has been the one tasked with delivering him bad news. Both Millers have been credited with showing Musk around Washington and accompanying him to events.

“There’s a lot of people in the business that work with her, or have worked with her, and she leaves bodies everywhere she’s been,” a senior Republican strategist with knowledge of the situation tells WIRED.

Katie Miller did not reply to requests for comment.

Republicans also said there was a palpable sense of relief about the prospect of DOGE getting out of the headlines even before Musk and different members of his leadership team appeared to begin their departures.

A Republican donor organizer and campaign adviser tells WIRED that they’re unconvinced Musk won’t come back. (“Nothing is cast in stone with Trump and his people,” they say.) Nonetheless, they say, they’re telling clients running for office—both new candidates and incumbents—to use Musk’s exit as a chance to distance themselves from the DOGE chain saw.

“I think people need to distance themselves from it,” they say.