US President Donald Trump publicly praised Elon Musk for his dedicated service as Musk stepped down from his official role as a special government employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump's administration.
During a press conference marking Musk's departure from DOGE, President Trump described Musk's contributions as "without comparison in modern history" and credited him with delivering significant reforms aimed at eliminating billions in waste, fraud, and abuse from federal contracts. Trump highlighted these reforms as the "most sweeping and consequential government reform programme in generations" and indicated plans to cement these achievements through forthcoming legislation.
Despite stepping down, Trump emphasized that Musk remains deeply connected to the initiative, stating, "Elon’s not really leaving. He’s going to be back and forth, I think, I have a feeling. DOGE is his baby." In response, Musk called his work with DOGE "a way of life," framing his exit not as an end but a new chapter, and reaffirmed his ambition to generate $1 trillion in government savings despite acknowledging that recent progress was slower than anticipated.
Musk confirmed he will maintain a presence at the White House in an informal capacity, describing himself as a "friend and adviser to the president." His decision to step back is motivated by a desire to dedicate more time to managing his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X.
Musk's departure follows the emergence of reports alleging substance use during the 2024 campaign, which he declined to discuss publicly when questioned. Nonetheless, both Musk and Trump reaffirmed their ongoing collaboration and mutual support moving forward.
