US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a joint press conference with Elon Musk scheduled for Friday at the White House's Oval Office. This event follows Musk's departure from his role as a special government employee, where he was involved in leading cost-cutting efforts at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump praised Musk as "terrific" and emphasized that although Musk's official tenure ends, "he will always be with us, helping all the way." The announcement was made via a post on Truth Social.
Elon Musk confirmed his resignation on X, stating, "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending." Musk's tenure lasted 130 days, during which he focused on federal fiscal reforms.
Musk's resignation follows his vocal criticism of Trump's proposed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which he described as "a massive spending bill" that would undermine ongoing fiscal reforms. In interviews with media outlets such as CBS News and Ars Technica, Musk expressed disappointment with the bill, noting it would increase the budget deficit rather than decrease it.
Despite stepping back from political engagements, Musk remains a significant political contributor, having reportedly pledged $100 million to Trump-aligned groups ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
This joint press conference marks a significant moment as both figures address Musk's resignation and the future of federal budget reform initiatives.
