Donald Trump formally bid farewell to Elon Musk as the latter stepped down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During a ceremony at the White House, Trump praised Musk's tenure, highlighting his "incredible service" and the significant changes he brought to federal operations.
Elon Musk, the world's richest person, assumed leadership of DOGE with a mandate to reduce federal expenditures. Over his term, Musk implemented major reforms, including significant workforce reductions and scaling back certain programs like the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Trump acknowledged Musk's efforts to overhaul governmental processes, describing it as a "colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington." At the ceremony, Musk received a symbolic golden key to the White House as a token of appreciation.
While Musk initially targeted cuts of $1 to $2 trillion in federal spending, this goal was later revised to $150 billion for the current year. Although the Department claims savings of $175 billion, these figures have been contested due to inconsistencies and exaggerations.
Despite these challenges, Trump hailed Musk’s leadership as "the most sweeping and consequential government reform effort in generations." He also emphasized that Musk will continue to have an ongoing advisory role, stating he will be "back and forth" to monitor developments within the administration.
Musk, known for his innovative approach, referred to DOGE as "a way of life" and compared it to a philosophy. Although his role was temporary, he expressed willingness to remain engaged part-time if needed.
This symbolic transition marks Musk's shift in focus back to his private enterprises, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X, while leaving a lasting imprint on government efficiency initiatives.
