In a recent Oval Office farewell, President Trump acknowledged that Elon Musk's official tenure with the government, specifically in the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has concluded, but stressed that Musk "is not really leaving." Musk’s affiliation with the department is expected to persist as he will be frequently returning to the White House to continue the mission of Doge, aimed at reducing waste and slashing costs across federal operations.
Musk’s role at Doge has spanned 130 days, the limit permitted under his designation as a "special government employee." The department, while not a formal governmental agency, claims to have saved the US government approximately $175 billion. However, a BBC investigation raised concerns, indicating that only a fraction of those savings—$61.5 billion—was clearly itemized.
Despite the claims of efficiency, Musk's initiatives have faced significant criticism. His tenure has coincided with major layoffs in federal agencies and the dismantling of crucial programs run by USAID, leading to widespread protests and calls to boycott his company, Tesla. These controversies have correlated with a steep downturn in Tesla's sales.
During the farewell conference, Trump expressed his admiration for Musk, labeling him as a pivotal figure in a transformative government reform agenda. "The mindsets have changed," he declared, highlighting the emphasis on fraud detection and waste reduction established through Doge's work. Trump reinforced that Musk's commitment would not wane as he continues to play a vital role in these matters.
Musk insisted that the focus on reducing government expenditures would relentlessly persist, with a target of achieving $1 trillion in budget cuts. Despite some evident discrepancies in the claimed savings, both men celebrated what they termed innovative strategies aimed at reforming government spending.
The press conference also saw Musk confronted with questions about personal matters, including speculation around his health and reports suggesting heavy drug use during Trump’s 2024 campaign. Musk deflected the inquiries, instead emphasizing his recent legal battles against media outlets regarding false reporting on Trump’s campaign.
As Musk leaves Washington, his time with Doge will likely be remembered as a contentious chapter — marked by ambitious reforms, significant backlash, and an ongoing debate about the efficacy of his methods and the impact they have had on public services.
Musk’s role at Doge has spanned 130 days, the limit permitted under his designation as a "special government employee." The department, while not a formal governmental agency, claims to have saved the US government approximately $175 billion. However, a BBC investigation raised concerns, indicating that only a fraction of those savings—$61.5 billion—was clearly itemized.
Despite the claims of efficiency, Musk's initiatives have faced significant criticism. His tenure has coincided with major layoffs in federal agencies and the dismantling of crucial programs run by USAID, leading to widespread protests and calls to boycott his company, Tesla. These controversies have correlated with a steep downturn in Tesla's sales.
During the farewell conference, Trump expressed his admiration for Musk, labeling him as a pivotal figure in a transformative government reform agenda. "The mindsets have changed," he declared, highlighting the emphasis on fraud detection and waste reduction established through Doge's work. Trump reinforced that Musk's commitment would not wane as he continues to play a vital role in these matters.
Musk insisted that the focus on reducing government expenditures would relentlessly persist, with a target of achieving $1 trillion in budget cuts. Despite some evident discrepancies in the claimed savings, both men celebrated what they termed innovative strategies aimed at reforming government spending.
The press conference also saw Musk confronted with questions about personal matters, including speculation around his health and reports suggesting heavy drug use during Trump’s 2024 campaign. Musk deflected the inquiries, instead emphasizing his recent legal battles against media outlets regarding false reporting on Trump’s campaign.
As Musk leaves Washington, his time with Doge will likely be remembered as a contentious chapter — marked by ambitious reforms, significant backlash, and an ongoing debate about the efficacy of his methods and the impact they have had on public services.
