WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday, marking a cordial end to the billionaire’s tumultuous tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk is stepping down to focus back on his private businesses — including Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X.
Trump credited Musk with “a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington”, adding that some of Musk’s team will remain in the administration. Musk, dressed in all black and wearing a T-shirt labeled “The Dogefather,” nodded as Trump recounted the contracts cut under his leadership.
“I think the DOGE team is doing an incredible job,” Musk said after accepting a ceremonial key from Trump. “They’re going to continue to be doing an incredible job.”
Musk’s reforms left a searing mark on the federal bureaucracy, including thousands of employees fired or pushed out. Key government functions were drastically cut, notably the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which had been vital for global aid. Researchers at Boston University estimate hundreds of thousands have died as a result of these cuts.
The State Department responded that most USAID HIV programs (PEPFAR) remain active but did not address the wider cuts, urging “other nations to dramatically increase their humanitarian efforts.”
Despite the upheaval, Musk fell far short of his promised savings goals. After initially pledging $1 to $2 trillion in federal spending cuts, he later revised expectations down to only $150 billion this fiscal year.
It remains unclear if that target has been met. The DOGE website claims $175 billion in savings, though its data has been criticized for errors and exaggerations.
Musk arrived at the Oval Office with a bruise near his right eye, which he explained came from “horsing around” with his young son. “I said, go ahead punch me in the face,” Musk joked. “And he did.”
Trump described Musk’s tenure as “the most sweeping and consequential government reform effort in generations.” He hinted Musk “is really not leaving” and “he’s going to be back and forth” to oversee ongoing work.
However, signs suggest Musk’s Washington presence is fading. Once frequently at Trump’s side during press events, Musk now remained quiet as Trump answered questions on topics ranging from the French president to Joe Biden and potential celebrity pardons.
When asked about tariffs affecting Tesla, Musk stayed silent while Trump stepped in to respond.
Musk, currently the world’s richest person, recently announced plans to reduce his political donations. He was also Trump’s top donor during the last presidential campaign.
Trump sought to end Musk’s government role on a high note, writing on social media:
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will always be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific!”
Although Musk’s position was designed as temporary, he had considered staying “indefinitely,” working part-time if Trump wanted him.
On the future of DOGE without him, Musk remains optimistic, suggesting the effort could “gain momentum” and calling DOGE “a way of life — like Buddhism.”
