Musk's Departure from Doge Signals Continued Influence in Trump Administration

Thu Oct 23 2025 19:54:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Elon Musk's exit from the controversial Department of Government Efficiency raises questions about government reform and future collaborations with Trump.

In a farewell press conference in the Oval Office, President Trump emphasized that Elon Musk would remain a crucial part of the administration's efforts to reduce government spending, despite Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). While the program claims significant savings, discrepancies in reported figures and Musk’s controversial tenure have sparked extensive debate.

Elon Musk has concluded his tumultuous tenure as a special government employee in the Trump administration with a press conference in the Oval Office, where both he and President Trump defended the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Trump insisted that Musk's departure doesn't signify a complete exit; rather, he affirmed that Musk would continue to influence the White House's direction by being "back and forth" on various initiatives. Describing Doge as Musk's "baby," Trump underscored the program's objective to dramatically decrease government wastage while saving taxpayer money.

Musk’s brief stint with Doge, which aims to streamline federal spending amidst a national debt of $36 trillion, has not been without its detractors. The initiative has faced backlash following significant layoffs in federal agencies and the dismantling of many USAID programs, leading to protests against Musk’s companies, including Tesla. Despite this, Trump commended Musk's role in what he termed "the most sweeping and consequential government reform programme in generations."

While Musk claimed Doge would continue its mission of pursuing $1 trillion in savings, an analysis revealed discrepancies in the supposedly saved amounts, casting doubt on the efficacy of the initiative. In a recent interview, Musk shared frustrations about a legislative bill supporting increased defense spending and tax cuts, which he deemed undermining to Doge’s objectives.

During the Oval Office press conference, Musk was also questioned about his physical appearance, which spurred mild controversy linked to a New York Times report about alleged drug use during the ongoing Trump campaign. Musk dismissed the inquiry and referenced a related defamation case involving Trump, indicating that he was more focused on his responsibilities ahead.

As Musk departs from Doge, the future of the Department of Government Efficiency remains uncertain, yet Trump's insistence on Musk's continued involvement suggests that significant changes may still be in the pipeline.