US President Donald Trump praised Elon Musk on Friday for his significant contributions to government reform, emphasizing that Musk is "not really leaving" his role but will continue to be involved with the White House. Speaking during a joint press conference in the Oval Office, Trump highlighted Musk's leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency created to reduce government spending and streamline operations.
Trump characterized Musk's service as unparalleled in modern American history and stated that Musk would remain "back and forth" to the White House, as DOGE remains his "baby." Although Musk's official tenure as a special government employee has ended—following the 130-day limit—Trump assured that most DOGE staffers will stay in place and pledged to formalize DOGE's spending cuts through comprehensive legislation.
Musk, appearing in a blazer and a T-shirt emblazoned with "The DOGE-Father," described his departure not as a farewell but the beginning of a new phase. He expressed optimism about DOGE's future impact, forecasting government savings reaching $1 trillion over time. "The DOGE team will only grow stronger," Musk said, likening DOGE’s principles to a "way of life."
He noted that under his leadership, DOGE has already projected over $160 billion in savings for fiscal year 2025-26, with expectations to exceed $200 billion soon. Musk committed to ongoing involvement as a friend and adviser to the President and expressed enthusiasm about continuing to support government efficiency efforts.
When asked about his future advisory role, Musk confirmed his willingness to provide counsel whenever requested by President Trump, underscoring his ongoing commitment to public service. The press conference concluded with Trump acknowledging Musk's pivotal role in curbing waste and fraud within federal contracts and vowing to remember his contributions.
