Elon Musk Officially Departs White House — President Donald Trump Showers Him with Praise
Washington | May 31, 2025
In an emotional farewell moment in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump showered Elon Musk with praise—calling him an “unparalleled” reformer of government. As Musk’s role as head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) came to an end, Trump said, “He is one of the world’s greatest business leaders and innovators. He put his talents in the service of our nation, and we are grateful.”
President Trump described Musk’s leadership of the DOGE task force, which restructured various federal programs and budget allocations, as “the most significant reform in a generation.” However, the administration’s ambitious goal of slashing $1 trillion from the federal budget was not fully met. According to the White House, the cost-saving totaled $170 billion.
Data Discrepancies and Criticism
The so-called “Wall of Receipts” documenting the savings was found to contain numerous mathematical errors. An independent analysis by the Partnership for Public Service reported that DOGE’s actions may have actually caused $135 billion in losses, due to reduced productivity and costs associated with wrongly terminated and later reinstated federal employees.
Court Ruling and Trump’s Reaction
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump also praised a significant legal win, referring to a U.S. Federal Circuit Court decision that temporarily reinstated his import tariffs. “These tariffs are essential for our nation’s security,” Trump said.
Musk’s Farewell Message and Future Plans
On social media platform X, Musk wrote, “I thank the president for the opportunity to reduce government waste.” He expressed hope that DOGE would “become part of the culture of government.”
The White House confirmed Musk’s 130-day contract as a special government employee ended on May 30. Within that time, he canceled billions in federal grants, cut hundreds of government jobs, and dismantled several federal agencies—although many of these actions have been challenged in court.
DOGE’s Impact Beyond Washington
DOGE’s reforms had far-reaching effects beyond Washington. Food banks, child abuse prevention programs, and international aid organizations were all impacted. In particular, cuts to USAID funding have worsened the famine crisis in Sudan.
Musk appeared in the Oval Office wearing a DOGE baseball cap, black blazer, and a “DOGEfather” T-shirt. Showing signs of fatigue, he joked, “My 5-year-old son punched me in the face.”
He said he would continue to act as a “friend and adviser” to the president. Past events already suggested their closeness—Musk traveled aboard Air Force One, joined Cabinet meetings, and appeared publicly with Trump.
President Trump even showcased Tesla cars on the White House driveway and announced plans to purchase a red Model S. During his address to Congress earlier this year, Trump publicly praised Musk’s leadership of DOGE.
Disagreement Over Domestic Spending
However, Musk has recently expressed disagreement with Trump on a key issue—a massive domestic spending bill. In an interview with CBS, Musk said, “The bill is enormous, but it increases the budget deficit. It’s completely opposite to what the DOGE team has worked on.” According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill could increase the deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034.
Musk added, “A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful—but I don’t know if it can be both.”
